Cincinnati’s defensive line is about to lose a key rotational piece, as veteran lineman Mikah Coleman is set to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Coleman, a 6-foot-4 presence up front, played in 11 games for the Bearcats this season, tallying 33 total tackles, including 10 solo stops and two sacks. While he wasn’t a headline name on the stat sheet every week, Coleman brought valuable experience and depth to a Cincinnati front that faced its share of battles in the trenches during its third season in the Big 12.
This marks another roster departure for a Bearcats program that’s still finding its footing in the Power Four landscape. After two straight losing campaigns, Cincinnati managed to post a 7-5 record in 2025 - a step forward, no doubt.
But the finish left a sour taste. The Bearcats dropped their final four games, all against Big 12 opponents, raising questions about how close this team really is to competing at the top of the conference.
Coleman’s journey to Cincinnati began at Eastern Michigan, where he spent his first two seasons before transferring in. His time with the Bearcats may not have been long, but it came during a pivotal stretch for a program in transition. His decision to enter the portal signals yet another shift in a roster that will need retooling this offseason.
The Bearcats still have one more shot to end 2025 on a high note - they’ll face Navy in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. A win there could provide a much-needed boost heading into the offseason, but even so, the work ahead is clear.
Cincinnati showed flashes this year. The defense held its own at times, and the offense had moments of rhythm.
But consistency - especially late in the season - was elusive. And now, with players like Coleman on the move, the coaching staff will need to lean heavily on the portal themselves to fill gaps, rebuild depth, and keep the momentum from slipping away entirely.
The Big 12 is unforgiving, and the Bearcats are learning that in real time. As the program continues to evolve under head coach Scott Satterfield, roster moves like Coleman’s will play a big role in shaping what 2026 looks like - and whether Cincinnati can turn promise into staying power.