NFL scouts kept circling Nippert Stadium on Sunday, and the Bearcats kept giving them plenty to watch.
A total of 13 scouts from 11 NFL teams were on hand for Cincinnati’s Aug. 9 practice, part of a week that has brought a heavier-than-usual pro presence to UC’s camp. The Jaguars, Ravens, Eagles, Browns, Lions, Jets, Texans, Bills, Commanders, Seahawks and Chargers all had eyes on the Bearcats, with most of the note-taking happening near the end zone closest to the videoboard, where the offensive line works under co-offensive coordinator and line coach Nic Cardwell.
Cincinnati’s session came after a Saturday open practice and with the Bearcats now less than a month from their opener against Boston College on Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. at Nippert Stadium. The team has been working outside for four straight practices, taking advantage of the early August weather after walking over from the Sheakley Indoor Performance Facility. The heat has been part of the deal, with hydration breaks and misting fans helping players get through full gear workouts.
One area that drew attention again was the offensive line, where seniors Taran Tyo and Joe Cotton continued to show why they matter beyond the trench work. The two have taken on visible leadership roles when they’re not in the action, much like last year’s center Gavin Gerhardt, and both were active on the sideline Sunday. Tyo was seen urging teammates to “hustle back” after a pass play, while Cotton later fired up the group after a big offensive gain.
Tyo, part of the “Pancake Trio” alongside Evan Tengesdahl and Cotton, said the group sees bigger things ahead.
“There’s a lot of talent on this team, there's a lot of talent in the O-line room,” Tyo said. “I'm very excited to see where this group can mold and go to.”
The receivers also responded after head coach Scott Satterfield described their play as “average” the day before. On Sunday, that group looked sharper. Fifth-year Oklahoma transfer JV Gibson pushed back on the coach’s assessment and said the unit should be setting the tone.
“We're not an average group,” Gibson said. “On any team, the receivers have to be the standard. They're the ones that make the most plays and get the most fame and popularity.”
Larenzo Fenner, a senior from South Dakota, had a strong day with two deep catches from quarterback JC French. Giyahnni Kontosis also made plays, while Isaiah Johnson and Cade Wolford continued to show they can turn short throws into bigger gains. On this practice, Zion Johnson did that work out of the backfield as well.
Gibson believes his own chemistry with French is only getting better.
“Me and that guy have a great connection,” Gibson said.
At tight end, junior Gavin Grover has been productive and still looks like the leading candidate at the spot, but UC has also been rotating others into the mix. Sophomore Ka'Maurri Smith, a Wayne High School product from near Dayton, put together a strong late sequence by catching three straight passes from Samaj Jones. At 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, Smith is hard to miss when he’s on the field.
Defensively, transfer corner Kenny Worthy kept building on a fast start. UC had only two interceptions all of last season, and Worthy has already matched and gone past that total in the first week of camp.
“Now I feel more comfortable in the playbook, more comfortable in the scheme,” Worthy said. “I know my role on the team, and it's allowed me to play as free as I can.”
He also made it clear that nobody is taking it easy out there.
“No one's a pushover,” Worthy said. “Everyone, you've got to go out there and be on all the way at '10,' or you will get killed out there.”
Worthy singled out Gibson and Kontosis when asked about the level of competition around him, a sign of how much the offense has been forcing the defense to stay sharp in camp.
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