Geoff Hobson

The Bengals held their annual local players day on Tuesday, which can mean only two things.

The NFL Draft is next week (April 24-26) and the IEL Indoor Practice Facility looked like a photo shoot for a Cincinnati high school football all-star game.

With the Bengals allowed to bring in prospects who either played high school or college within the metropolitan area of Paycor Stadium, the roster ranged from the heights (Mount Healthy, Summit Country Day high schools) to the trees (Winton Woods High School) to the other side of the river (Ryle High School).

More than 15 local high schools were represented at the workout, in addition to players from University of Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio) University and Ohio State.

It's not only one final look before the draft, but a celebration of the city game.

"This is a full circle moment for these players. There is such a great community of football here in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas," said Bengals head coachZac Taylorafter the 45-minute workout. "We take great pride in all being one. Youth football, high school football, college football, and professional football.

"To get a chance to see these players who we have watched throughout their entire careers hit this professional stage and give them one more opportunity to showcase their talents is meaningful for us."

Then there's a guy like University of Cincinnati running back Corey Kiner, at 5-9 and 209 pounds one of the most punishing and accomplished backs in Bearcats history who left home and came back.

Kiner grew up in Evanston attacking the Ohio record books for Roger Bacon High School on Friday nights and watching the Bengals at his grandmother's home turned into a tailgate on Sundays.

"She'd cook. Sometimes we'd grill," Kiner recalled after the workout. "She'd bring the TV into the backyard and the whole family would bring their chairs, and we'd watch the Bengals game outside."

Kiner loved watching wide receivers Chad Johson and A.J. Green and admired another rugged running back in Jeremy Hill while modeling parts of his game on Hill's successor, Joe Mixon.

But it was Bengals rookie quarterbackJoe Burrow, a Mr. Football himself in Ohio, who sent congratulations when Kiner won it after pounding out 1,866 yards and 35 touchdowns for Roger Bacon's first regional championship.

"He reached out and sent a text and I appreciate it," Kiner said.

Kiner finished his career third in the history of the state with 116 rushing touchdowns and 10th in rushing yards before following Hill and Burrow to LSU, where he had a memorable freshman year. Not only did he belt out 4.1 yards per on his 79 carries, but he watched his Bengals go to the Super Bowl in the land of the Bayou Bengals.

"It was great to be a Bengals fan down there," Kiner said. "A lot of Joe Burrow fans. A lot ofJaMarr Chasefans."

That was Kiner's last year in Baton Rouge. A coaching change brought him back to UC, and he brought his relentlessness back with him. Only the fifth back in school history to string back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024, Kiner is looking to show scouts he's more than a bruiser.

"It's great being here, growing up and watching the Cincinnati Bengals and having an opportunity to get around the coaching staff," Kiner said. "I've worked out with a couple of players, and they're cool."

After doing his training for the NFL scouting combine in Tampa, Fla., Kiner came back this month to work at Black Sheep Performance in Blue Ash and ran into such Bengals as tight endDrew Sample. With pundits projecting him to go the last day of the draft, Kiner has taken notes on Mixon, the Colts' Jonathan Taylor and the Steelers' Jaylen Warren in order to broaden his game.

"I've taken a few things from Mixon. His ability to move laterally is underappreciated. His jump cut. I like the power that he runs with," Kiner said. "I like Jonathan Taylor. Very similar to my speed, and his strength, and pad level. l like Jaylen Warren, his ability to get physical in pass protection. If I can add that to my game, I feel like I can be unmatched."

Kiner already has the draft figured out.

"All the rankings and all that really don't matter," Kiner said after his first pro workout in the town where it all began. "It's what you do after you get your opportunity."

Sounds like Draft Day is another tailgate in the Evanston backyard.