The Bengals today signed C Billy Price of Ohio State University, their first-round selection (21st overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. The contract is for four years through 2021, with a team option to extend it by one year through 2022.
Price (6-4, 305) was a four-year starter at Ohio State and left Columbus as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in program history. He was a two-time team captain, two-time All-American (including a unanimous choice in 2017), the '17 Big Ten Rimington-Pace winner as the conference's top offensive lineman, the '17 Rimington Trophy winner as college football's top center, and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten performer. He started at guard for three seasons (2014-16) before moving to center as a senior ('17), and he finished his career with school records for both total and consecutive starts (55). Price blocked for two Big Ten championship teams (2014 and '17) and one national championship ('14), and OSU's offenses ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing all four of his seasons.
Of the Bengals' 11 draft picks, just two remain unsigned — DE Sam Hubbard (third round; Ohio State) and LB Malik Jefferson (third round; Texas).
