Cincinnati’s defense is starting to look like a group that’s been through a few wars together, even if a lot of the pieces are still relatively new. The transfer-heavy unit is grinding through camp under Woody’s aggressive system, and the early signs point to a group that’s finding its rhythm fast.
One of the biggest additions on the edge is North Carolina Central transfer Thomas Johnson, who brings a massive production line from last fall: 12 sacks, 18.0 TFLs, and 14 quarterback hurries. Pro Football Focus pegs him as one of the top edge rushers in the Big 12 entering camp with a 90.0 grade, behind only Colorado’s Lamont Lester Jr. (91.5) and Texas Tech’s Adam Trick (91.3).
Johnson knows the jump from an HBCU program to the Big 12 comes with a different kind of spotlight, and he framed that challenge as something earned every single day.
"I'm an HBCU guy. You've got to earn your respect day in and day out-just staying consistent and bringing it every day. The guys have got to see that you belong here, and you've got to prove that."
That proving ground is already right in front of him, especially when he lines up against Cincinnati’s offensive line in 11-on-11 work. Johnson sounds like a player who welcomes every snap of it.
"We have the best O-line in the country," Johnson said. "Coming here, that was a decision I made.
Iron sharpens iron, you know? Sometimes sparks are going to fly, and it gets real competitive-real competitive.
If he beats me, I come chop it up with him to see what I can fix. If I beat him, he comes chop it up with me to see what he can fix.
We just keep going back and forth, and we've got a lot more practices."
The fit has been just as natural for boundary safety Beeler, whose game lines up cleanly with Woody’s approach. He said the system puts him in the kind of positions he wants - around the ball, close to the action, and able to do a little bit of everything.
"It’s perfect for my game-just being around the football," Beeler said of his fit at boundary safety. "That’s kind of how I finished up the season last year at NIU-being at that boundary safety spot, kind of in the box. To be able to read the run game, be in the pass game, get physical, and get down in there... to me, it’s perfect."
Johnson sees the same kind of opportunity in the front, where the defense mixes looks and keeps the pressure coming.
"We mix it up a lot," Johnson added regarding the new system front. "I believe we are going to stop the run this year and get into our pass-rush packages.
Being able to get after the quarterback is perfect. It's perfect.
In the 3-4, we do everything though, you know?"
With kickoff closing in, the group is still learning each other, but the chemistry is clearly moving in the right direction. Beeler put a number on the countdown himself.
"23 days," Beeler said with a smile. "We got the countdown going, and I can’t wait. This is everything I’ve ever dreamed and prayed about, so I can’t wait to get out there."
Cincinnati opens the 2026 season at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, September 5th against Boston College. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on FOX.
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