The Cincinnati Bearcats went into the transfer portal with a clear mission this offseason: replace a lot of lost production, and do it fast. With graduation, the transfer portal, and the NFL all taking bites out of last year’s roster, Cincinnati added 22 transfers to help plug the holes. If the Bearcats are going to make noise in the Big 12 this season, a handful of those newcomers will have to hit the ground running.
One of the most important names to watch is Larenzo Fenner, the wideout who arrives after a strong season at South Dakota. Fenner is set for his junior year at Cincinnati after putting up big numbers last season: 44 catches, 1,002 yards and 15 touchdowns.
He averaged 22.8 yards per reception, which tells you exactly what kind of threat he was. His biggest outing came in a wild 53-51 five-overtime win over Southern Illinois, when he hauled in six passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns, including a 39-yard score.
The Bearcats also made a major move in the secondary with the addition of MJ Cannon from Bowling Green. Cincinnati’s defensive back room had already taken a hit with the departure of Matthew McDoom, who was a very productive transfer for the Bearcats last season.
Cannon brings real production of his own: 57 total tackles, 27 solo stops, one pass deflection, two interceptions and two sacks. He also earned Third-team All-MAC honors, and the 6-foot-3 corner has the size to match up with Power 4 receivers.
The question now is how well that skill set carries over into the Big 12.
The backfield is another area where Cincinnati had to reload. Tawee Walker, the power and short-yardage presence from last season, graduated.
Evan Pryor, the elusive runner who wanted to bounce things outside, transferred to Florida. In response, the Bearcats brought in three backs from the portal: Zylan Perry from Louisiana, Cole Tabb from Stanford, and Gi'Bran Payne from Notre Dame, who also attended LaSalle High School in Cincinnati.
Zion Johnson is still on the roster, and the expectation is that one of the three newcomers, if not two, will be sharing snaps with him early in the season. That kind of balance could matter a lot. If Cincinnati can settle on at least two dependable running backs, the offense should look much stronger.
In Other News...
Tony Pike Staying Tied To Bearcats Even As Bengals Role Grows
Tony Pike is adding another prominent seat in Cincinnati football media this fall, joining Dan Hoard on the Bengals radio broadcast team while keeping his place on University of Cincinnati football broadcasts. Hoard has become a familiar voice across both levels of the local football scene, calling Bengals games for 15 years and UC games for 27 years, and Pikes move keeps a former Bearcats quarterback right in the middle of the citys biggest football conversation.
The arrangement also creates the sort of scheduling puzzle that comes with overlapping seasons and overlapping loyalties. Pike will work alongside Dave Lapham on Bengals broadcasts, while Mo Egger is set to cover at least one UC game when the Bengals are in Madrid, a reminder that the Bearcats radio crew will have to stay flexible as the calendar gets crowded. For UC fans, it means one of the programs most recognizable alumni will still be tied to the Bearcats even as his NFL profile grows. [Read more 🡒]
Two Cincinnati Walk Ons Are Forcing Their Way Into The Rotation
As Cincinnati gets deeper into its offseason prep, two walk-ons have started to push their way into the conversation on Scott Satterfields roster. Linebacker George Leibold and tight end Lyviel Waters have drawn praise from the Bearcats coach for the way theyve worked and the kind of presence theyve brought to camp, the sort of climb every program loves to see from players who arrived without much fanfare.
Waters, in particular, has been turning heads with notable plays during offseason work, and Satterfield said hes expected to factor in alongside starting tight end Gavin Grover when the season opens. For a team still sorting out its depth chart, the emergence of players like Leibold and Waters matters because it gives Cincinnati more options, more competition and a reminder that roster spots can be earned in more than one way. [Read more 🡒]