Corey Kiner, Cincinnati: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Kiner was a four-star recruit from Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati, Ohio in the class of 2021

Corey Kiner authored consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats and will attend the East-West Shrine Bowl in a few days. Kiner could sneak into late Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft but will likely end up as an undrafted free agent in this deep running back class.

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Corey Kiner, RB Cincinnati: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Senior running back from Cincinnati, Ohio

Background: Kiner was a four-star recruit from Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati, Ohio in the class of 2021. He was the No. 162 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 128 for Rivals, and No. 144 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 161st in the nation with an 83 grade out of 100. Kiner transferred from LSU to Cincinnati for the 2022 season. He finished his high school career with 7,130 rushing yards, the tenth most rushing yards in Ohio High School Athletic Association history. He also finished third all-time in scoring (772 points), rushing touchdowns (116), and total touchdowns (125). In 2020, he led Roger Bacon to its first regional championship by rushing for 1,866 yards and 35 touchdowns. Kiner was the Ohio Division V Offensive Player of the Year and was named Mr. Football for the state of Ohio. He rushed for more than 4,000 total yards as a junior and senior despite frequently sitting out late in large wins.

Injuries & Off-Field: Dealt with a high ankle sprain in spring of 2022, held back in 2022 preseason camp by a minor injury, exited 2022 Arkansas game with an apparent right leg injury, missed 2022 game vs. USF with a hand injury, carted to the locker room early vs. Texas Tech (2024) with a rib injury

Awards: 2024 Sports Info Solutions Second Team All-American

Pros: Rapid footwork, rapid acceleration through the hole, squeezes through narrow gaps, jump cuts to survey multiple gaps, fluidity to string together multiple cuts, jump cuts to make fitting linebackers and safeties miss, aggressive runner who attacks defenders, accelerates into contact, drops shoulder to initiate contact in the hole, contact balance, flashes of bouncing off multiple tackle attempts in one play, arm tackles slide off him, DBs struggle to tackle him high, spins out of tackles, combative stiff arm, willing to step up and challenge 3-tech in pass pro, identifies blitzers in pass pro

Cons: Minimal special teams experience, high-cut frame, lacks angle-erasing speed, burst isn’t elite and has limited range, caught from behind, not a pile mover, vision leads him to challenge defenders instead of using blockers to hit open space, limited usage as a receiver, underdeveloped route tree, size limits power in pass pro, overpowered and walked back into the QB by linemen and linebackers, run over by linebackers in pass pro

Overview: Kiner accelerates into the hole with rapid footwork. His small but dense frame helps him slice through narrow gaps. Kiner uses jump cuts to survey multiple gaps and possesses the fluidity to string together sharp cuts when picking through the trenches or eluding defenders. His jump cuts in the hole make crashing defenders fly past him. The Ohio native makes some defenders miss in space but also enjoys attacking would-be tacklers and initiating contact. He accelerates into tackle attempts and drops his shoulder to ram defenders as they try to fit the run. Kiner’s contact balance helps him survive the first hit, and he occasionally racks up several broken tackles on a play as defenders either slide or bounce off his frame. Defensive backs that make the mistake of trying to tackle him high on his frame either slide off or eat a punishing stiff arm. Kiner also deploys a spin move to avoid defenders or shake off grab-and-drag tacklers. Unfortunately, the former LSU transfer lacks angle-erasing speed, and his burst is average at best. Kiner lacks the explosiveness to consistently get the most out of defensive breakdowns. Defenders catch up and prevent him from finishing long runs in the end zone. Kiner possesses impressive contact balance, but he isn’t a pile mover. His vision and aggression cause him to challenge defenders in space instead of using his blockers to create more running room. Kiner lacks significant special teams experience and hasn’t put many examples of him catching passes on tape. His route tree is underdeveloped, and he lacks the size to thrive in pass protection. The senior is more than willing to challenge larger defenders in protection and tracks approaching threats well, but even linebackers run through him on their way to the quarterback.

Overall, Kiner is a physical back who attacks would-be tacklers in the hole, but he lacks elite athletic traits to stand out from a crowded draft class at his position. Kiner’s lack of value in third down situations drops him into priority UDFA territory. He has flashes of draft-able play and could get on the board as a late Day 3 selection.

Role & Scheme Fit: Rotational running back in an inside or outside zone scheme

Round Grade: UDFA

Size: 5'9", 210 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 10-07-24

Updated: 01-02-25