3 NFL Draft prospects of interest for the Bengals in College Football Week 8

The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Baltimore on Sunday this week, looking to improve to 4-2 on the season.

On Saturday, their eyes should be on some talented prospects across college football. While there are not a ton of top matchups like there were last week, it should still be another exciting week across the country.

Some of the top games this week include Texas vs. Ole Miss, Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt, and Utah vs. Houston. Let’s take a look at a few prospects that the Bengals could be scouting this week.

Lance Heard, LT, Kentucky

Heard transferred from Tennessee to Kentucky ahead of the 2026 season. The former five-star recruit has really taken a step forward in his development this season. The talent was always there, but he was so inconsistent the past couple of years for the Volunteers.

This year he has been the definition of consistency. He has allowed just 8 total pressures in 7 games played. The 6’6”, 325-pound left tackle has an 85.7 pass-blocking grade so far this season. He has a ton of experience playing tackle in the SEC. He has over 2,200 career snaps played already.

The Bengals gave Orlando Brown Jr. a two-year contract extension this offseason. His play has been up and down for most of the season, but he did play his best game of the year against the Dolphins. While left tackle might not ultimately be the biggest need come draft day, it should still be in consideration for Cincinnati. Brown will be turning 31 years old in May, and the dead money cap hit would only be $4.6 million dollars if they decide to let Brown go after the 2027 season.

Continuing to make sure that Joe Burrow is well protected should always be a priority.

Zereoue Williams, LT, Utah

I will stick with another talented left tackle prospect for the second player of note. Zereoue Williams had to wait his turn behind first-rounders Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu at Utah. That move is paying off for him this season. He has come out of nowhere to put himself firmly in the mix to be drafted in the first round.

Williams has ideal size at 6’8” and 315 pounds for an offensive tackle. His basketball background shows up consistently with how light he is on his feet. Williams has allowed just 3 pressures through 6 games played for Utah this season.

Williams didn’t play football from seventh grade until his senior season. The inexperience is certainly there since this is also his first full-time starting season at Utah. Instead of looking at that as purely a negative, I see a player with tremendous upside still. With what he is putting on tape already, this is a player that might have All-Pro potential at the next level.

Williams and the 10th-ranked Utah team will be going up against 14th-ranked Houston this week. It should be a fun matchup all around in Utah Saturday night.

Wayshawn Parker, RB, Utah

Chase Brown is set to be a free agent after this season in Cincinnati. He hasn’t exactly been lighting it up so far this season either. The Bengals could be in the market for a running back on draft day. My top running back prospect is Jadan Baugh from Florida. With his team on a bye, I think the Bengals should have their eyes on Wayshawn Parker from Utah.

Parker is in the conversation to be one of the next running backs drafted after Baugh this year. A likely Day 2 draft pick, Parker has already rushed for 597 yards this season. He is averaging a highly impressive 6.7 yards per carry, along with an insane 5.18 yards after contact per rushing attempt.

Parker can gain yards as a receiver, is one of the more elusive backs in the country, and he is much more physical than expected for a player who is listed at just 5’10” and 205 pounds. Parker has three-down potential at the next level and should be in the conversation for any team that wants to improve their rushing attack.

Who will you be watching today that you’d like to see on the Bengals next season?