Cincinnati senior left guard Evan Tengesdahl has picked up another major preseason nod, earning First-Team Preseason All-American honors from The Sporting News ahead of the 2026 college football season.
The Dayton, Ohio native is the tone-setter for a Bearcats offensive line that returns with a reputation as one of the nation’s best. Tengesdahl’s 2025 season backed up the hype: he started all 13 games at left guard and finished as Pro Football Focus’s top-rated guard in the Big 12 with an 82.8 overall rating. Cincinnati’s line gave up only eight sacks across the season, the second-fewest in the country, and that performance helped the Bearcats reach Joe Moore Award semifinalist status.
The Sporting News honor is just the latest addition to a crowded preseason résumé for Tengesdahl. He also landed on the Outland Trophy Watch List and has been selected to preseason All-America teams by Walter Camp, Phil Steele, On3 and Athlon Sports, along with a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 list.
Cincinnati will also put its offensive line front and center for fans on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, with a free “Pancake With Us” fan breakfast and open practice. Breakfast starts at 9 a.m., followed by practice at 10 a.m. on Sheakley Lawn and at Nippert Stadium.
The event includes a chance to meet the Bearcat offensive line as they serve pancakes, then stay for open practice and a post-practice photo and autograph session. The first 100 fans will receive a custom syrup bottle.
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For a defense that has spent recent years searching for more reliability, Cooks strong camp has been part of a broader push to change the tone on that side of the ball. The Bengals have added more help up front and on the edge, including trades and signings that brought in Dexter Lawrence, Johnathon Allen and Boye Mafe, and Cooks presence is another sign they are trying to turn hope into something more concrete. [Read more 🡒]