Cincinnati’s defense is getting a reset, and linebacker Jonathan Thompson isn’t spending much time worrying about the outside conversation that comes with it.
The Bearcats are coming off a rough year on that side of the ball, finishing 110th nationally in the FBS and giving up 423.6 yards per game. It got even uglier late, with Cincinnati allowing more than 450 yards in three of its final four regular-season games.
That performance helped trigger a defensive overhaul. The first major move was the addition of new defensive coordinator Nate Woody, and the roster followed suit through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Of Cincinnati’s 22 incoming transfers, 12 landed on defense.
Still, Thompson said the team isn’t rattled by the skepticism.
“I don't think we really worry too much about the noise because we always believe in each other. We work so hard that we feel like we're just going to pay off regardless of what people say, regardless of who we play,” opened Thompson to the media earlier this month.
Cincinnati is also staring down a demanding Big 12 schedule, one that includes Kansas State, Arizona, Texas Tech, Utah and BYU. ESPN’s College Football Power Index backs up that challenge, ranking the Bearcats’ slate as the sixth-hardest in the Big 12 and 49th-hardest in the FBS.
Thompson sees that as an opportunity, not a burden.
“Having a harder schedule is amazing. Because you get to go against good teams every weekend.
You get to prove yourself, so I don't think we use that as bulletin board material. We're just motivated in general,” Thompson concluded.
The Bearcats are also entering a key fourth season under head coach Scott Satterfield, with the roster being reshaped by portal additions and a schedule that doesn’t offer many easy weeks.
Thompson will be one of the players expected to anchor the group. Replacing the production of Bearcats superstar Jake Golday is no small task, but Thompson finished last season second on the team with 74 tackles and led Cincinnati with 8.5 tackles for loss.
He’s also part of a veteran core that includes 21 fifth-year players on the roster, nine of them on defense. That group features edge rushers Thomas Johnson, Drew Logan and Jaylon White-McClain; cornerbacks Jacob Finley and KK Meier; safeties MJ Cannon and Jasper Beeler; linebacker Antwan Peek Jr. and defensive lineman Cam Roetherford.
Entering his final season with the program, Thompson has put together 154 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
In Other News...
Bearcats Camp Is Starting To Reveal Who Could Shape The Opener
As Cincinnatis camp turns toward the Sept. 5 opener at Nippert Stadium, the Bearcats are starting to get a clearer read on the players who could help define the early part of the season. Safety MJ Cannon singled out Worthys potential to create turnovers and also credited defensive coordinator Nate Woody for the way he has influenced the secondary, a sign that the defense may already be developing some of the traits it will need against Boston College.
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Liam OBrien showed off his athleticism in practice, while JC French IV put together a solid showing even with a few inconsistencies. Those kinds of camp snapshots do not settle a depth chart, but they do hint at how the Bearcats are evaluating the position room with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, and there is still more to learn before the first real test arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Bearcats Defense Sent A Message As One Offensive Question Lingers
The first scrimmage of Cincinnatis 2026 fall camp gave the Bearcats something to lean on defensively. The unit came out with more aggression and better pop than usual for an early August session, and the overall energy carried through a long practice. Head coach Scott Satterfield said the team got a good look at where it stands, with the defense making its presence felt while the offense worked through an uneven day.
One of the clearest signs came from the secondary, where Kenny Worthy continued to reinforce his standing at cornerback. Quarterback JC French IV had his moments in the scrimmage, but the operation was not as clean as it had been in the previous two practices, leaving Cincinnati with one lingering question as camp develops. The defense has already sent a message, and now the offense has to answer it. [Read more 🡒]
Bearcats Scrimmage Put One Preseason Concern Front And Center
The Bearcats used their Aug. 15 dress rehearsal at Nippert Stadium to get a first real look at where things stand three weeks before the opener, and the offense showed enough promise to keep attention on the bigger picture. Four quarterbacks took part in the scrimmage, and each helped lead scoring drives, a sign that Cincinnati at least has options as the staff keeps sorting out the depth chart and evaluating how the pieces fit.
For Scott Satterfield, the more immediate concern came at wide receiver, where he said the group still needs to become more consistent. On the other side of the ball, safety MJ Cannon said new defensive coordinator Nate Woody has been putting a clear emphasis on turnovers, which gives the Bearcats a sense of direction as camp enters its final stretch and the competition for roles sharpens. [Read more 🡒]