Jul 8, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer answers questions from the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Joe Royer Ranked Among Top NFL Draft Prospects Entering 2025 Season

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bearcats on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 10:57 AM ET

Joe Royer came back to Cincinnati in part to boost his NFL draft stock for the 2026 cycle, and The Athletic's Dane Brugler sees the vision.

He ranked Royer third among all draftable tight ends entering the 2025 season. The local talent set a Bearcats tight end record with 50 catches last season for 522 yards and three touchdowns.

Brugler noted his top trait is athleticism at the catch point, while he needs to add more explosive plays to the ledger.

"A former four-star recruit, Royer was the top-ranked tight end in Ohio State’s loaded 2020 class, which also included future first-rounders C.J. Stroud, Paris Johnson Jr., and Jaxon Smith-Njigba," Brugler wrote. "After seeing a combined seven targets over three years in Columbus, Royer entered the transfer portal and headed to his hometown school. He registered 50 catches for 522 yards and three touchdowns last season, his first with the Bearcats.

"Royer considered declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft and is currently graded by NFL teams as a potential Day 2 pick in the 2026 class. With Brendan Sorsby returning at quarterback for Cincinnati, Royer has the goods to become one of the top tight ends in college football."

Royer could be Cincinnati's top receiving option this fall and is primed to have a huge 2025 season in the Big 12.

He's trying to become the first UC player taken in the opening three rounds since Tre Tucker in 2023.