Cincinnati Bearcats Star Drawing Major Praise At 2026 Senior Bowl

Cyrus Allen's impressive route-running skills have scouts excited about his NFL potential.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:23pm

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Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Cyrus Allen has been turning heads at the 2026 Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama. Allen tied a program record with 13 touchdowns last season and is showcasing his elite route-running ability against other top draft prospects. Analysts have praised Allen's quickness, separation, and red zone skills, with some believing he could be moving up draft boards despite his current 5-11, 180-pound frame.

Why it matters

Allen's standout performance at the Senior Bowl could significantly boost his NFL draft stock, potentially making him the latest Cincinnati wide receiver to get selected in the draft this decade. His success would continue to raise the profile of the Bearcats' football program as it transitions to the Big 12 Conference.

The details

Allen tied a Cincinnati program record with 13 touchdown catches last season, which ranked third nationally. He finished the year with 51 receptions for 674 yards. At the Senior Bowl, Allen has impressed scouts and analysts with his precise route-running, quickness, and ability to make plays in the red zone. He is currently ranked 240th on the consensus big board, but that ranking is expected to rise given his strong showings in Mobile.

  • Cyrus Allen tied a Cincinnati program record with 13 touchdown catches in the 2025 season.
  • Allen is showcasing his skills at the 2026 Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama.

The players

Cyrus Allen

A wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bearcats who tied a program record with 13 touchdown catches in 2025 and is impressing scouts at the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Trevor Sikkema

A Pro Football Focus analyst who has praised Allen's route-running and separation ability at the Senior Bowl.

Ryan Fowler

An analyst for The Draft Network who has described Allen as an "electric route-runner."

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What they’re saying

“Man, Cincinnati WR Cyrus Allen has been so good this week. I've been really impressed with his quickness and separation route running, but now he's showing off with catches like this in the red zone. Arrow pointing very high for him.”

— Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus analyst

“Cincy WR Cyrus Allen is an electric route-runner.”

— Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network

What’s next

Allen's strong performance at the Senior Bowl could lead to him moving up draft boards and potentially being selected by an NFL team in the upcoming draft.

The takeaway

Cyrus Allen's standout showing at the 2026 Senior Bowl has scouts and analysts excited about his NFL potential, as the Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver continues to raise his profile ahead of the draft. His elite route-running skills could make him an attractive option for teams looking to add a dynamic playmaker to their offense.