An Ohio native and author of perhaps the most successful single season ever by a college QB, Burrow takes the reins as signal-caller in Cincinnati after joining the Bengals in April as the fourth No. 1 overall pick in team history ... Touted by scouts for his accuracy, football IQ, leadership and production ... Won the 2019 Heisman Trophy by the largest margin in the 85-year history of the award, and led LSU to a perfect 15-0 record and National Championship ... Unanimous first-team All-American, and winner of nearly every major national award for a QB (see "2019 accolades") ... Set nearly every LSU single-season passing record in 2019, as well as numerous SEC and NCAA FBS records (see "NCAA FBS record book" and "SEC records") ... Known for his success in big games, he posted 12 wins over top-10 teams (at the time of the matchup) in his two LSU seasons; seven of those wins came in 2019 ... Will become just the third Heisman Trophy winner ever to suit up for the Bengals (Archie Griffin, Carson Palmer) ... Native of Athens in southeast Ohio, he began college career at Ohio State, graduated in three years and then transferred to LSU for his final two seasons of eligibility ... Team captain in both of his seasons at LSU ... Left LSU with 25-3 career record as a starter, and in just two seasons climbed to No. 2 in school history in career completions (621), No. 4 in attempts (906), No. 1 in completion percentage (68.5), No. 2 in passing yards (8565), No. 1 in passing TDs (76), No. 1 in 300-yard passing games (15), No. 1 in 400-yard passing games (four), and No. 7 in rushing yards by a QB (767) ... Also an accomplished student, he holds degrees from both Ohio State and LSU, and was on the SEC's Academic Honor Roll in both of his seasons at LSU.

A rookie second-round pick out of Clemson, Higgins is considered a big, physical WR with unique playmaking ability and nose for the end zone ... Played in 43 games in just three seasons at Clemson, and compiled 135 receptions for 2448 yards ... His 27 career receiving TDs are tied with DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins for most in school history ... First player in school history with double-digit TD receptions in consecutive seasons ... Also an accomplished prep basketball player who was known for highlight-reel dunks, and was finalist for Tennessee's Mr. Basketball award as junior ... Has said he models his game as a WR after A.J. Green, who he lists as his favorite NFL player growing up.

A rookie third-round pick of the Bengals, Wilson is touted by scouts as a three-down LB with speed (4.63-second 40-yard dash at the combine), instincts and playmaking ability ... Played WR and DB in high school before switching to LB at Wyoming during redshirt season in 2015, then went on to start all 52 possible games at LB over the next four years ... Also considered a leader, and was a three-time team captain (voted by teammates) ... Among the most productive LBs in college football, he racked up 421 career tackles, including 17 games with double-digit tackles and three 100-tackle seasons (2017-19) ... Considered particularly strong in pass coverage, he had 10 career INTs, including two pick-sixes ... Also returned two fumbles for TDs ... Played for the North team at the 2020 Senior Bowl, while the Bengals' staff coached the South squad, but Zac Taylor said he made an impression during a night of "crossover meetings" where players met with opposing coaches.

The Bengals' staff coached Davis-Gaither on the South team at the 2020 Senior Bowl, and then selected him in the fourth round of the draft three months later ... Touted by scouts for his speed, motor and instincts at LB, and was known at App State for his outstanding play in big games ... Capped a productive college career in 2019 by being named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... Racked up 258 career tackles, including 28 for losses and eight sacks, with 17 pass breakups, an INT, two FFs and a blocked FG ... Topped 100 tackles in each of his final two seasons at App State ... His father, Keith, is longtime assistant coach in the college ranks, and is currently the WRs coach at Army.

A rookie fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, Kareem has been touted by scouts as a long, athletic and technically sound lineman ... Team captain in college and the son of a high school defensive line coach, and known for his leadership, effort and intelligence on the field ... Spent four seasons (2016-19) at Notre Dame, and was a full-time starter as a 3-4 DE his final two seasons ... Appeared in 43 career games (26 starts) for the Fighting Irish, and compiled 26 career tackles for losses, including 13 sacks, with four FFs, two FRs and eight pass breakups.

A rookie sixth-round pick of the Bengals, Adeniji has been touted by coaches and scouts for his athleticism, intelligence and dependability ... Started all 48 possible games over his four seasons (2016-20) at Kansas; switched between RT and LT early in his career, before settling at LT for his final two seasons ... Played G at the Senior Bowl (North team; coached by Detroit Lions' staff), and could see time at G in the NFL as well ... Considered among the most athletic linemen in the draft, his vertical leap (34 inches) and broad jump (115 inches) each tied for third among all OL at the combine ... Also an accomplished student at KU, and was a regular on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll ... Gained notoriety for his unique recruiting backstory, in which his commitment to the Air Force Academy was quashed the summer before his freshman year due to a severe cashew allergy.

An Ohio native (Hilliard) and rookie seventh-round pick, Bailey spent five seasons (2015-20) at Purdue and proved to be one of the most productive defenders in the Big Ten when healthy ... Considered by some draft analysts to have second- to third-round ability on film, however he slipped to the seventh round due to two serious knee injuries in college ... Tore ACL in left knee as a true freshman in 2015, and then tore ACL in right knee in second game of senior season ... Played in 43 career games at Purdue, and totaled 327 tackles, including 28 for losses and 13.5 sacks ... In three full seasons at Purdue, he led team in tackles twice and finished second once ... Also considered strong in pass coverage, he had 13 career PDs and six INTs.