2025 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

Last updated

2025 Cincinnati Bearcats football
Cincinnati Bearcats logo.svg
Conference Big 12 Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Brad Glenn (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt (2nd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Nippert Stadium
Uniform
Cincinnati Bearcats Uniforms (2023).png
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Big 12 Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Arizona  0 0   0 0  
Arizona State  0 0   0 0  
Baylor  0 0   0 0  
BYU  0 0   0 0  
Cincinnati  0 0   0 0  
Colorado  0 0   0 0  
Houston  0 0   0 0  
Iowa State  0 0   0 0  
Kansas  0 0   0 0  
Kansas State  0 0   0 0  
Oklahoma State  0 0   0 0  
TCU  0 0   0 0  
Texas Tech  0 0   0 0  
UCF  0 0   0 0  
Utah  0 0   0 0  
West Virginia  0 0   0 0  
Championship: 2025 Big 12 Championship Game
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
As of January 19, 2025
Rankings from CFP Rankings

The 2025 Cincinnati Bearcats football team will represent the University of Cincinnati during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats, members of the Big 12 Conference, play home games at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. 2025 is the program's third season under head coach Scott Satterfield.

Contents

Offseason

Positions key
C Center CB Cornerback DB Defensive back DE Defensive end [a]
DL Defensive lineman DT Defensive tackle FB Fullback FS Free safety
G Guard [b] K Kicker [c] KR Kickoff returner LB Linebacker
LS Long snapper MLB Middle linebacker [d] OT Offensive tackle OL Offensive lineman
OLB Outside linebacker [a] NT Nose tackle P Punter PR Punt returner
QB Quarterback RS Return specialist RB Running back S Safety
SS Strong safety TE Tight end WR Wide receiver
  1. 1 2 May sometimes be referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
  2. Also known as offensive guard (OG)
  3. Also known as placekicker (PK)
  4. Also known as inside linebacker (ILB)

Coaching staff changes

Departures

Departures
NamePositionReason for LeavingNew schoolNew position
Kerry Coombs Special Teams and Cornerbacks coachFired [1]
Nate Fuqa Co-Defensive coordinator and Stars coachFired [2]

Additions

Additions
NamePositionPrevious schoolPrevious position
Adam Braithwaite Safeties Samford Defensive coordinator/Safeties
Eddie Hicks Cornerbacks LSU Analyst

Recruiting

College recruiting information (2025)
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Zebulin Kinsey
QB
Wellsville, Ohio Toronto Junior/Senior High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)215 lb (98 kg)Nov 18, 2023 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Zion Johnson
RB
Covington, Georgia Newton High School 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)180 lb (82 kg)Feb 8, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Giyahni Kontosis
WR
Upper Marlboro, Maryland Riverdale Baptist School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)195 lb (88 kg)Jul 8, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Ka’Maurri Smith
TE
Dayton, Ohio Wayne High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)Nov 19, 2023 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
DaMari Witherspoon
TE
Dallas, Georgia East Paulding High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)220 lb (100 kg)Aug 27, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jeremiah Kelly
OL
Avon, Ohio Avon High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)315 lb (143 kg)Jun 21, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Marcus McGregor
OL
West Des Moines, Iowa Valley High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)280 lb (130 kg)Dec 2, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Cray Paich
OL
Northbrook, Illinois Glenbrook North High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)290 lb (130 kg)May 18, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Zach Taylor
OL
Kingsland, Georgia Camden County High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)300 lb (140 kg)Sep 23, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
James Early
DL
Fort Wayne, Indiana North Side High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)230 lb (100 kg)Oct 6, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Tim Griffin
DL
Covington, Georgia Alcovy High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)255 lb (116 kg)Nov 23, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
CD McFee
DL
Elkhart, Indiana Elkhart Memorial High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)296 lb (134 kg)Sep 7, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Kamron Neal
DL
Smyrna, Georgia Campbell High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)245 lb (111 kg)Nov 11, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Myles Harrison
LB
Pickerington, Ohio Pickerington High School Central 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)Dec 3, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 2 stars.svg
Terrell Holcomb
LB
Gahanna, Ohio Gahanna-Lincoln High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)205 lb (93 kg)Jun 17, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Patrick Williams
CB
Greenville, South Carolina Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)160 lb (73 kg)Dec 25, 2023 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jamari Johnson
S
Birmingham, Alabama Pell City High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)165 lb (75 kg)Dec 4, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
CJ Jones
S
Bolingbrook, Illinois Bolingbrook High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)180 lb (82 kg)Apr 23, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
CJ Crite
Star
Chesapeake, Virginia Oscar F. Smith High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)195 lb (88 kg)Jun 8, 2024 
Star ratings: Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2025 Cincinnati Football Commitment List". Rivals.com.
  • "2025 Players Commitments – Cincinnati". ESPN.com.
  • "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.
  • "2025 Cincinnati Bearcats football team". 247sports.com.

Transfers

Players leaving

[3] [4]

Departing transfers
NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownNew school
Caleb SchmitzTE6'3"240 Redshirt.svg Junior Lancaster, PA Illinois State
Kalen CarrollCB5' 11"161 Redshirt.svg Sophmore Brownsburg, IN
D.J. TaylorDB5'10"195 Redshirt.svg Senior Tampa, FL Rice
Aaron TurnerWR5'8"185 Redshirt.svg Senior Washington, D.C.
Sterling BerkhalterWR6'3"200 Redshirt.svg Junior Cincinnati, OH Wake Forest
Carter BrownPK6'0"198Junior Pearland, TX Utah State
Ben MehanP6'0"180Freshman Downingtown, PA East Texas A&M
Garrison ButlerDL6'1"280Freshman Jacksonville, FL Appalachian State
Jonathan HarderOL6'4"330 Redshirt.svg Sophmore Delaware, OH Toledo
Michael MussariWR6'1"200 Redshirt.svg Freshman Kings Mills, OH Dayton
Kameron WilsonDL6'2"250 Redshirt.svg Junior Decatur, GA Miami (Ohio
Brady DrogoshCB6'4"220 Redshirt.svg Freshman Warren, MI Grand Valley State
Quinton PriceCB6'3"180Freshman Cincinnati, OH
Jordan YoungCB6'0"197 Redshirt.svg Junior Tampa, FL Arkansas
Tyrin SmithWR5'7"165 Redshirt.svg Senior Cibolo, TX Texas State

Incoming transfers

Cincinnati incoming transfers
NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrev. school
Taran TyoOL6'4326 Redshirt.svg Junior Greenville, Ohio Ball State
Matthew McDoomCB5'8160Junior Winter Garden, Florida Coastal Carolina
Jaylon White-McClainDE6'4254 Redshirt.svg Junior Virginia Beach, Virginia Old Dominion
Caleb GoodieWR6'1170Junior Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Colorado State
Cyrus AllenWR6'0170Senior New Orleans, Louisiana Texas A&M
Nolan LatulippeOL6'7281Senior Aylmer, Quebec Albany
Jeff CaldwellWR6'5200Junior Louisville, Kentucky Lindenwood
Stephen RusnakPK6'5200 Redshirt.svg Senior Clarkston, Michigan Charlotte
Tayden BarnesS5'10185 Redshirt.svg Sophomore Amarillo, Texas New Mexico State
CJ McRayDL6'4241 Redshirt.svg Senior Lumberton, North Carolina Virginia Tech
Xavier WilliamsS6'2215 Redshirt.svg Senior McDonough, Georgia Middle Tennessee
Tawee Walker RB5'9218 Redshirt.svg Senior North Las Vegas, Nevada Wisconsin
Christian HarrisonDB6'1191 Redshirt.svg Junior Atlanta, Georgia Tennessee

2025 NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

Preseason

Big 12 media poll

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResult
August 28vs. Nebraska *
September 6 Bowling Green *
September 13 Northwestern State *
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
TBA Arizona
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
TBA Baylor
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
TBA BYU
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
TBA Iowa State
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
TBA UCF
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH (rivalry)
TBAat Kansas
TBAat Oklahoma State
TBAat TCU
TBAat Utah
  • *Non-conference game
  • Source: [5] [6]

    Game summaries

    vs. Nebraska

    Pregame lineOver/under
    Nebraska Cornhuskers (0–0) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (0–0) – Game summary
    Quarter12Total
    Cornhuskers0
    Bearcats0

    at Arrowhead StadiumKansas City, Missouri

    • Date: August 28
    Game information
    First quarter
    Second quarter
    Third quarter
    Fourth quarter
    StatisticsNEBCIN
    First downs
    Plays–yards
    Rushes–yards
    Passing yards
    Passing: comp–att–int
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    NebraskaPassing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    CincinnatiPassing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    vs Bowling Green

    Pregame lineOver/under
    Bowling Green Falcons (0–0) vs Cincinnati Bearcats (0–0) – Game summary
    Quarter12Total
    Falcons0
    Bearcats0

    at Nippert StadiumCincinnati, Ohio

    • Date: September 6
    Game information
    First quarter
    Second quarter
    Third quarter
    Fourth quarter
    StatisticsBGSUCIN
    First downs
    Plays–yards
    Rushes–yards
    Passing yards
    Passing: comp–att–int
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Bowling GreenPassing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    CincinnatiPassing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    vs Northwestern State

    Pregame lineOver/under
    Northwestern State Demons (0–0) vs Cincinnati Bearcats (0–0) – Game summary
    Quarter12Total
    Demons0
    Bearcats0

    at Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio

    • Date: September 13
    Game information
    First quarter
    Second quarter
    Third quarter
    Fourth quarter
    StatisticsNSUCIN
    First downs
    Plays–yards
    Rushes–yards
    Passing yards
    Passing: comp–att–int
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Northwestern StatePassing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    CincinnatiPassing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    Personnel

    Roster and staff



    Awards and honors

    Big 12 Weekly Honors
    DatePlayerClassPos.AwardRef.

    All-Big 12

    All-Big 12
    PlayerPos.1st/2nd team
    HM = Honorable mention

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    References

    1. John Brice [@JohnDBrice1] (December 10, 2024). "Multiple sources tell @FootballScoop that Scott Satterfield is making changes to his Cincinnati Bearcats staff" (Tweet) via Twitter.
    2. Easterday, Taylor (December 13, 2024). "Cincinnati fires STARS coach Nate Fuqua". Newsrecord.org. The News Record. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
    3. "2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247sports. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
    4. "2025 College Football Transfer Portal". On3. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
    5. "2025 Cincinnati Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
    6. "2025 Football Schedule". Cincinnati Bearcats . Retrieved December 1, 2024.