Cincinnati seems to have dodged a bullet with Brendan Sorsby leaving. Instead, the Bearcats added Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV. French is good in the play-action passing game and he can use his legs when needed as well. He threw for just under 3,000 yards last season, with 20 touchdowns.
The running back room will be used heavily. The offensive line room is stacked and there are solid options to run the ball. Zion Johnson, along with transfer additions Cole Tabb (Stanford), Zylan Perry (Louisiana), and Gi’Bran Payne (Notre Dame) will also see carries.
The wide receiver room is very transfer heavy. The additions of JV Gibson (Oklahoma), Larenzo Fenner (South Dakota), Cade Walford (Kent State), Malachi Henry (Central Arkansas), and Flynn Schiele (D2 Colorado School of Mines) are massive. Isaiah Johnson returns and has a ton of speed.
The offensive line room returns experience in Evan Tengesdahl (All-American), Joe Cotton (All-Big 12), Taran Tyo, Xavier Lozowicki, and Judea Milon, among others. This is one of the best offensive lines in the Big 12 and all of college football.
The defensive line room returns experience in Marquaze Parker, Jaylon White-McClain, and Elijah Gunn. The additions of Chidera Otutu (UTSA) and Josh Hough (D2 California PA) are massive. Switching to a 3-3-5 scheme obviously changes things up front.
The linebacker room returns experience in Jonathan Thompson, Simeon Coleman, and Brian Simms III. The additions of Patrick Bauer (Illinois State), Thomas Johnson (North Carolina Central), Filip Mariorowski (Northern Illinois), and Damaine Wilson (Georgia State) are massive for this unit.
The secondary is very transfer heavy. The additions of Jacob Finley (Northern Illinois), MJ Cannon (Bowling Green), Jasper Beeler (Northern Illinois), KK Meier (UTSA), Kenny Worthy (Washington State), and Ty Goodwill (South Alabama) are big. Antwan Peek Jr. returns with experience at nickelback.
Both kicker Stephen Rusnak and punter Max Fletcher return after very solid seasons. Watch out for Isaiah Johnson as a return man. He has next level speed.
The defensive scheme shift should really help this program. The 3-3-5 is known for attacking and flying around, something the Bearcats need. An elite offensive line should lead to a good rushing attack, which then new quarterback JC French IV can take advantage of.
