As the 2025 NFL season draws to a close, the spotlight shifts to the upcoming college all-star games, where the Bengals' scouting department showcases its hard work and commitment to excellence in identifying the next wave of talent.
There are numerous events for potential draftees, including all-star games, College Pro Days and the NFL Scouting Combine in March before culminating in the 2026 NFL Draft in April. Events start this coming week with the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Reese's Senior Bowl.
East-West Shrine Bowl
The East-West Shrine Bowl celebrates its 101st game in 2026 in Frisco, Texas, at the Ford Center at The Star. It is a college football all-star game that features some of the top draft-eligible players in the country, including Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, University of Cincinnati LB Jake Golday and LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.
How To Watch
- Game: Tuesday, January 27, 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network
- Practices: Friday, January 23 - Monday, January 26
- Rosters: View the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl rosters here
- For more information on the East-West Shrine Bowl, Click Here
Some of the NFL's best have taken part in the East-West Shrine Bowl, including Tom Brady, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor and John Elway. Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery and defensive assistant Ronnie Regula will both be coaches for the East team, with Montgomery coaching the defensive line and Regula coaching linebackers.
Panini Senior Bowl
The Panini Senior Bowl takes place in Mobile, Alabama and is a another college football all-star game featuring elite draft prospects divided into the National Team and the American Team. Some of the top names this year include Heisman finalist QB Diego Pavia, Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey and Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion.
How To Watch
- Game: Saturday, January 31, 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+
- Practices: Tuesday, January 27 - Thursday, January 29, coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+ each day.
- Rosters: View the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl rosters here
- For more information on the Panini Senior Bowl, Click Here
The Senior Bowl produced 106 draft picks last season, 50 in the top three rounds. Bengals assistant offensive line coach Michael McCarthy will be the offensive line coach for the National team.
View photos of current Bengals players and staff at the Senior Bowl over the last few years ahead of the 2026 Senior Bowl.
National running back Chase Brown of Illinois carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team offensive lineman Jalen Rivers of Miami (64) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team safety Tycen Anderson of Toledo (35) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Demetrius Knight II of South Carolina (17) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zack Taylor reacts as the South squad practices for the Senior Bowl Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt of Nebraska (25) runs a drill during warm-ups before an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M (14) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team long snapper William Wagner of Michigan (48) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North tight end Drew Sample of Washington (88) catches a pass as South safety Jaquan Johnson of Miami (4) defends during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey of Notre Dame (7) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American wide receiver Andrei Iosivas of Princeton (9) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American edge Cedric Johnson of Ole Miss (33) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National running back Chase Brown (2), of Illinois, carries the ball during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Linebackers coach Al Golden addresses his group during Thursday's Senior Bowl practice at the 2020 Senior Bowl.
American defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson of LSU (99) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
American team offensive lineman Jacob Bayer of Arkansas State (69) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson of Texas A&M (3) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National team offensive lineman Jalen Rivers of Miami (64) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman Javon Foster of Missouri (75) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M (14) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
