The Cincinnati Bengals are doing their homework, and one under-the-radar visit could say more than any mock draft. Don’t overlook Wake Forest’s Karon Prunty.
The former Demon Deacons standout has a top-30 visit scheduled with Cincinnati ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, signaling legitimate interest from a team still piecing together its defensive puzzle.
Prunty, at 6-2 and 192 pounds, may not carry the national buzz of first-round prospects, but his résumé suggests a player who’s earned a long look. He served as Wake Forest’s No. 1 cornerback in 2025, turning in a consistent season that led to third-team All-ACC honors. For a defense that leaned on him week after week, Prunty delivered steady coverage and reliability on the outside.
What makes Prunty particularly intriguing is his journey. Prunty began at Kansas in 2020, then later played at North Carolina A&T, where he had a strong 2022 season with four interceptions and 10 pass defenses. He transferred to Wake Forest in 2025, where he finished with 34 tackles, an interception, and nine passes defended.
At his best, Prunty plays with patience in coverage, keeps receivers in front of him, and shows the ball skills needed to disrupt passing lanes. He may not be viewed as a top-tier prospect, but his combination of experience and production gives him a legitimate shot to carve out a role in the NFL.
The Bengals’ interest in Prunty points to a bigger picture. The Bengals have already made moves to address their secondary, but depth at cornerback and long-term competition remain priorities. Top 30 visits are often reserved for players teams believe fit their system or culture, and Prunty checks several of those boxes.
For a front office led by Duke Tobin, these visits are about more than surface-level evaluation. They’re about identifying players who can contribute in multiple ways, whether that’s on defense, special teams, or as developmental pieces.
Not every important draft move happens in the first round. Sometimes, it’s players like Prunty, players who are experienced, productive, and oftentimes overlooked, who end up sticking on rosters and filling key roles. The Bengals bringing him in suggests they see more than just a depth option.
They see a fit. And in a draft where Cincinnati is trying to solidify its defense from top to bottom, those are the kinds of moves that can quietly make a difference.
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