Bengals rookie wide receiver Colbie Young is already earning high marks from Cincinnati's veteran locker room. He was drafted in the fourth round, No. 140 overall pick. This pick, along with No. 128, was received in trade with the New York Jets for Nos. 110 and 199.

The 23-year-old WR with a $5 million rookie contract for four years is considered to be a solid addition to the Bengals' offensive line. Young has been drawing a lot of praise from the locker room, according to Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site.

The head coach of the Bengals, Zac Taylor, said about Young, “Excited about Colbie Young. I feel like he really complements our receiver group.” 

Bengals guard Jalen Rivers echoed the coach's praise for Young, saying, “The epitome of a Bengal. Physical, hungry, accountable teammate who’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. That’s who he is.”

Left guard, Dylan Fairchild, called Young a positive guy, a great dude, and a playmaker. Right tackle, Amarius Mims, was in awe of his catch radius. “I’ve never really seen him drop a ball”, said Mims.

OC Dan Pitcher agrees that the rookie WR will fit in well with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas. “His physical skillset is of a starting NFL WR.”

During the post-draft press conference, Young said, “For them to take me in this round, this pick right now, there’s nothing but love and respect for them. They looked at the individual they’re getting. They’re getting a guy who’s ready to work.”

Young's college career has been a steady climb from junior college to the biggest stage of the SEC.

How Was Colbie Young's College Career?

Young began his college career in 2021 at Lackawanna College and finished playing in nine games with 24 receptions for 472 yards and nine touchdowns. For the next year, he got several offers, but chose the Miami Hurricanes.

It was with the Hurricanes that he met Jalen Rivers for the first time, who is currently a guard/OT for the Bengals and got drafted last year at No. 153 overall.

In 2024, he again used the transfer portal and this time went to the Georgia Bulldogs. Here he met another teammate, Dylan Fairchild, who is the current left guard for the Bengals and was drafted last year, No. 81 overall.

Within five years of his college career, he played in 34 games, with 113 receptions for 1,424 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 12.6 receiving yards.

The 6’5 and 218 lbs WR impressed teams at the NFL Combine with his 4.49 40-yard dash. His frame and speed benefit vertical routes, adding to the depth at the Bengals’ WR camp.

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Written by

Naomi Grace