Ohio State and Texas don’t just bring No. 1 against No. 4 to the table early in the season. They also put a pile of NFL Draft talent in the spotlight, which makes this matchup worth a close watch for teams like the Cincinnati Bengals.
A few names jump out immediately, and one of the biggest is Texas left tackle Trevor Goosby. At 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, Goosby brings the kind of size NFL teams covet, but what really stands out is the athleticism that comes with it.
He’s already a returning starter on the Longhorns’ offensive line, and he won’t turn 22 until May. With Orlando Brown Jr. getting older, it makes sense for the Bengals to keep thinking about the long-term picture at left tackle.
Goosby also gets a serious early-season stress test here, lining up against a Matt Patricia-led defense that is expected to send pass rushers in waves all night. He’s widely viewed as a first-round prospect, and this game will tell scouts plenty.
Ohio State linebacker Christian Alliegro is another player worth tracking. The Bengals are counting on Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight II, but even if that duo gives them what Al Golden and the team want, adding linebacker depth in the 2027 NFL Draft would not be a surprise.
Alliegro transferred from Wisconsin to Ohio State this season, and at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, he has the frame and flexibility to line up in different spots across a defense. He flashed as a blitzer at Wisconsin, finishing with 8 sacks there.
Coverage still needs to come along, but he’s a name to keep on the radar Saturday night.
Then there’s Texas safety Jelani McDonald, who fits into a position the Bengals don’t talk about as much when projecting future needs. Jordan Battle is expected to have big things ahead in 2026, but he is currently set to be a free agent after the season.
If he ends up elsewhere, Cincinnati could be shopping for another safety to pair with Bryan Cook. McDonald is viewed as a top-five safety in this class, and his size stands out right away at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds.
He tackles well in space, something the Bengals have had trouble with in recent years, and he can play safety or slot corner. Against Ohio State’s passing game, he’ll get a useful measuring stick.
Texas also has plenty of other draft-eligible talent on the roster, including Arch Manning at quarterback, Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown at running back, Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo at receiver, Michael Masunas at tight end, Melvin Siani and Brandon Baker on the offensive line, Colin Simmons, Ian Geffrard, Hero Kanu, and Maraad Watson up front on defense, Rasheem Biles at linebacker, Bo Mascoe at cornerback, and Kobe Black at safety.
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For Cincinnati, the concern is less about star power and more about how those deeper options might be used if they are active and involved on Sunday. Some of their participation remains uncertain, which only adds to the uncertainty for a Bengals team trying to prepare for a full Tampa Bay attack, not just the players drawing the most attention. [Read more 🡒]