Tag: Bearcats

The tight end position was on full display during Super Bowl LIV with two of the best in the NFL going head-to-head in Travis Kelce and George Kittle. The ever-growing importance of the position in NFL offenses makes it one of the more intriguing groups of players each year at the combine.

You’ll find Cincinnati TE Josiah Deguara among the more intriguing athletes in this class because he’s done a bit of everything in college football. Deguara believes his skill set fits in with the evolution of the position in the NFL.

“I think I fit in pretty well,” Deguara told Chiefs Wire. “My biggest strength is my versatility whether it is playing a traditional tight end or maybe a little fullback. Teams like what I can do in that scenario too. So being able to do a lot of different things on the field, it’s definitely something that I can use to my advantage. It’s cool to see how far the [tight end position] has come in the NFL.”

Deguara took an interesting road to become Cincinnati Bearcat. He was not highly recruited coming out of Folsom High School in California. He was connected with former Bearcats OL coach Darren Hiller through a family friend and with just under two weeks to go before signing day, Deguara received an offer. With the next step in his journey just ahead, Deguara has leaned on a former Cincinnati player as an example and role model. That player is Chiefs TE Travis Kelce.

Cincinnati’s Josiah Deguara speaks with @goldmctNFL about his relationship with #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce ( @tkelce ) #ChiefsKingdom #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/yBTsx61Grr

— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) February 25, 2020

“With Travis Kelce just being at Cincinnati, he’s a huge role model for me,” Deguara said. “He’s someone that I try to model my game after. We’re from the same school so he knows what it’s like to be a bearcat from Cincinnati. So being able to reach out to him — and I’ve talked to him a few times —he’s a huge example for me. It’s awesome to see him in the league — being probably the best tight end in the league right now. To be able to look up to him and talk to him is awesome.”

Kelce, now a seasoned NFL veteran, offered Deguara some valuable advice during his career at Cincinnati. He even offered him some guidance in the process that lies ahead at the NFL combine and in the 2020 NFL Draft.

“He’s pretty much just encouraged me throughout this whole process,” Deguara said of Kelce. “Don’t listen to all the outside noise and control what you can control. Put my head down and whatever happens — happens. I can’t control where I go or when I go. I can just do everything to the best of my ability and let the rest handle itself.” 

Chiefs fans could see Deguara line up beside Kelce come the 2020 season. Chiefs TE coach Tom Melvin met with Deguara informally earlier in the week and their meeting went well.

“I spoke to the Chiefs a little bit,” Deguara said. “They obviously use the tight end a lot, so it’s an offense that I would love to play for. The tight end coach [Tom Melvin] was awesome to speak to.” 

Whether Deguara ends up in Kansas City, the advice that Kelce passed along to him will help him make an impact during the next phase of his football career.

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