Bearcats Peppered All Over Mel Kiper's Latest 2022 NFL Draft Rankings

Cincinnati's senior class is the winningest in program history.

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Mel Kiper unveiled his latest 2022 NFL Draft Big Board, and there are quite a few Bearcat appearances. The two highest-ranked UC prospects are cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Both of them weren't on Kiper's top-25 prospects list in his last version, but a torrid finish in AAC play shot them up the board.

"I'm pumped to see Gardner lined up against Alabama's Jameson Williams in the College Football Playoff," Kiper wrote about the lockdown corner. "Gardner has long arms and is physical in press coverage. He doesn't give up big plays. As the nearest defender in coverage this season, he has allowed quarterbacks to complete just eight passes on 29 targets -- for 60 total yards. He has three picks this season and nine in his three-year career with the Bearcats. He's also not afraid to make a tackle in run support. Gardner is a really good player."

Ridder didn't get the nod on Kiper's last version either, but the analyst loves his competitiveness and raw physical tools.

"Welcome back to the Big Board, Mr. Ridder," Kiper wrote. "I wrote about him after the Bearcats' big win over Notre Dame, and he was really impressive down the stretch, even if he does have a couple head-scratching throws every game. (Check out this interception against Navy.) Overall, Ridder has taken the next step, throwing 30 touchdown passes and eight picks while completing 65.9% of his throws. His counting stats won't totally wow you, but he has the arm talent and mobility that put him in the first-round conversation. Like Pickett, Ridder has started more than 45 college games, and so I'd like to see him have better ball placement on tight-window throws at this point. He's not the perfect prospect, but he does have upside. NFL teams will bet on upside."

Looking at position-specific rankings, Ridder is Kiper's No. 2 quarterback behind Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett. Gardner slots in as Kiper's No. 2 cornerback behind LSU's Derek Stingley. ESPN's Todd McShay has three Bearcats in his overall top-50. Gardner comes in at No. 21, while Ridder is No. 38, and defensive end Myjai Sanders checked in at No. 41.

Cincinnati's matchup against No. 1 Alabama isn't some massive mismatch in talent. The Bearcats have projected NFL starters at three of the four most important positions in football (QB, DE, CB)

Kiper has plenty of other Bearcats on his position rankings—eight UC players appeared on those lists.

Running back Jerome Ford is No. 10c on Kiper's crop of top ball carriers. Wide receiver Alec Pierce is his ninth-ranked wideout. Josh Whyle is Kiper's 10b tight end, Sanders is the eighth-ranked edge rusher, and Coby Bryant is his No. 10d cornerback behind Gardner.

Bryan Cook rounds out the crew as Kiper's ninth-ranked safety.

The entire group can boost their stock even more with big performances against Alabama in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium.

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