Bengals Invite 32 Local Prospects to Annual Pro Day Workout

The majority of the invitees hail from Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Miami University.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:38pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of navy, orange, and white, capturing the energy and movement of a football game or NFL combine event through sharp, overlapping shapes and planes.A cubist interpretation of the Bengals' annual local pro day, highlighting the diverse pool of homegrown talent on display.Columbus Today

The Cincinnati Bengals have invited 32 draft-eligible players from the local area to participate in their annual pre-draft workout on Tuesday at Paycor Stadium. The group includes 10 players from the University of Cincinnati, 5 from Miami University, and 4 from Ohio State University, as well as several other prospects from high schools and colleges in the region.

Why it matters

The Bengals' local pro day is an important event for evaluating homegrown talent and building connections with nearby schools and communities. It provides an opportunity for players who may have been overlooked during the national scouting process to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the Bengals' draft board or roster.

The details

Among the notable invitees are Cincinnati linebacker Jack Dingle, whose father Tom Dingle played for the Bengals, and Jalen Kitna, the son of former Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna. The group also includes several players with draft grades from scouting services, such as Miami's Jackson Kuwatch and Illinois' James Thompson Jr.

  • The Bengals' local pro day will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Jack Dingle

A linebacker from the University of Cincinnati, whose father Tom Dingle played for the Bengals.

Jalen Kitna

A quarterback from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, whose father Jon Kitna was a former Bengals quarterback and is currently the head coach at Lakota East High School.

Jackson Kuwatch

A linebacker from Miami University who has a seventh-round draft grade from The Athletic's Dane Brugler.

James Thompson Jr.

A defensive tackle from the University of Illinois who has a seventh-round/UDFA draft grade from Dane Brugler.

Rodney Heath Jr.

A wide receiver from Louisiana Tech who is the son of former Bengals tight end Rodney Heath.

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What they’re saying

“'Kuwatch consistently jumped out on tape, during the all-star circuit and at his pre-draft workouts, which gives him a chance to hear his name called on draft weekend as a toolsy project for an NFL linebackers coach.'”

— Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst, The Athletic

“'Thompson is more of a splash player than a consistent presence, but he has the tools for disruptive flashes, which will help his pro chances.'”

— Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst, The Athletic

What’s next

The Bengals will evaluate the performance of the 32 local prospects during Tuesday's workout and determine which, if any, they will invite to their official pre-draft visits or consider selecting in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Bengals' annual local pro day is an important event for the team to identify and develop homegrown talent, as evidenced by the inclusion of several players with family ties to the organization. This year's group features a mix of players from nearby colleges and high schools, providing the Bengals with a diverse pool of prospects to evaluate as they look to bolster their roster through the draft.