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CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati's success is translating into greater exposure for its players at the NFL level.

Two Bearcats were drafted — safety Haruki Nakamura (sixth round, Baltimore) and defensive end Angelo Craig (seventh round, Cincinnati) — and four others landed at Bengals rookie minicamp. They are tailback Greg Moore, fullback Bradley Glatthaar, safety Anthony Williams and linebacker Anthony Hoke.

The Bearcats (10-3) finished 17th in the final Associated Press poll after their second 10-win season and first since 1951.

"Obviously, over the last few years, they've won more games, and you continue to recruit better, and you see the guys maturing into players that have the ability to compete for jobs on this level," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "The coaches have done an outstanding job."

Added Craig: "I expect those guys to keep it going. As seniors, we didn't take days off or take games off. We just showed people what UC is all about and what direction we're trying to move in as far as a national powerhouse football team."

Praising the wideouts

Quarterback Jordan Palmer, who is taking snaps with Jeff Smith of Georgetown College, gushed about the wideouts — draft picks Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia, plus ex-Nebraska star Maurice Purify, who is trying out.

"I like all four of them," Palmer said. "I think Purify can go. Urrutia's good, too. He's a big ol' guy. He's Chris Henry, but thicker. All of us are going to see a big difference with each practice when they figure out where they're going. When we get some more stuff in, it'll be more fun to watch."

Big target

The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Urrutia (pronounced "yew-ROO-tee-uh") expects to make an impact in the red zone.

"That's my game," he said. "Throw it up. I'm going to go get it. I'll use my height, my ability and all my strength."

Friendly rivals

Sixth-round free safety Corey Lynch (Appalachian State) had two interceptions in a game against Simpson's Coastal Carolina team.

"They weren't thrown to my side," Simpson said. "If they were, he wouldn't have gotten 'em. He's a great safety, man. He gave me a good little lick one time. I remember him from that."

Numbers game

Further proof that David Pollack is retired: Jason Shirley is wearing No. 99.

Other uniform numbers: Keith Rivers (58), Simpson (89), Pat Sims (90), Andre Caldwell (87), Anthony Collins (73), Lynch (47), Matt Sherry (88), Craig (69) and Urrutia (18).

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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