Cyrus Allen drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the Fifth Round
Allen is the third Bearcat to go off the board
Per GoBearcats:
Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen was selected on Saturday by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 176th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Allen, who tied the school record with 13 touchdown receptions in 2025, is the first Bearcats wide receiver selected since 2023, when both Tre Tucker (Raiders, third round) and Tyler Scott (Bears, fourth round) were taken.
He joins Bryan Cook (2022), Parker Ehinger (2016) and Travis Kelce (2013) as recent Cincinnati products drafted by the Chiefs.
“I think the Chiefs got the steal of the draft in Cyrus Allen,” head coach Scott Satterfield said. “Cyrus has elite speed and route-running ability with outstanding hands to match. It felt like he caught just about every ball thrown his way this past season and always delivered in the biggest moments. We’ve had a lot of great receivers come through Cincinnati, so for him to tie the single-season touchdown receptions record says a lot about the caliber of player he is—and can become—in the NFL. I’m excited for Cyrus and his family and can’t wait to watch him flourish at the next level.”
Allen played one season for the Bearcats after transferring from Texas A&M but made an immediate impact with his precise route running and big-play ability. He led Cincinnati in receptions (51) and receiving yards (674) while adding 13 touchdowns en route to All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
He recorded a three-touchdown game at Oklahoma State and caught two scores at Kansas. His 88-yard touchdown reception at Utah ranks as the third-longest in program history.
The Bearcats have now had 21 players selected since 2021 and 54 since 2000.