Full Breakdown
Bengals Draft Binghamton Native Colbie Young in Fourth Round
4/28/2026, 4:02:39 AM
Core Event
On April 27 2026 the Cincinnati Bengals selected Binghamton, New York native Colbie Young with the 140th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first Binghamton High alumnus drafted in the 21st century.
Background & Context
Young starred at Binghamton High, scoring 14 touchdowns in eight games. After a 2021 season at Lackawanna College, he transferred to Miami (2022-23), posting 79 receptions for 930 yards and 10 TDs, then moved to Georgia (2024-25) where he finished with 113 catches for 1,424 yards and 13 TDs, including 26 catches for 358 yards as a senior. At the 2026 Combine he ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash (30th among receivers). He missed six games in 2025 for a leg fracture and missed time in 2024 after an arrest.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Zac Taylor said the team completed extensive background research, citing Georgia’s reinstatement of Young as a confidence factor. General manager Duke Tobin’s scouting staff described the process as “tight-knit” and “egoless,” emphasizing collaboration. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher noted Young’s size, contested-catch ability and football intelligence, fitting a receiver group that already includes Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts cite Young’s modest production and his age (24) as risk factors. The 2024 misdemeanor battery and assault charge—reduced to disorderly conduct—raised character concerns, echoing the Bengals’ mixed results with 2024 pick Jermaine Burton. Injuries, notably the 2025 leg fracture, add uncertainty about durability.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the 2024 incident: some say the complainant retracted her statement and charges were dropped; others note bruising, hospital transport and dismissal of charges. Reports also vary on how many games Young missed due to injury versus suspension.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Excited about Colbie Young. I feel like he really complements our receiver group,” — Zac Taylor, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals
- “He’s a guy who, (when) you go down there in person (and) you stand next to him—he just feels like a starting NFL wide receiver,” — Dan Pitcher, Offensive Coordinator, Cincinnati Bengals
- “Any route that Joey B calls, that's going to be my best route.” — Colbie Young, Wide Receiver
- “Never give up, trust yourself, trust the people around you.” — Colbie Young, Message to Binghamton
What’s Next
Young will attend rookie minicamp, training camp and compete for a roster spot in the 2026 preseason. The Bengals will evaluate his progress alongside established receivers, while monitoring his off-field conduct and health to determine his role for the upcoming season.
