Cincinnati
Cincinnati

Cincinnati Team Report

Updated: April 25, 2012 09:40 EST

The Bearcats hope that the cancellation of their annual spring game -- Bearcat Bowl VI -- due to inclement weather isn't an omen for the upcoming season. On paper at least, UC's talent would suggest it's not. The Bearcats, looking to defend their Big East Conference championship from last year, concluded a productive spring session with an indoor practice before a few hundred fans while heavy thunderstorms cancelled the spring game at Nippert Stadium and associated fan activities and events.

But making changes on the fly was nothing new for UC, which spent the spring finding adequate replacements for quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Isaiah Pead. The solution became clear early on in camp: depth.

Although head coach Butch Jones wouldn't tip his hand on a starter during spring practice, junior Munchie Legaux took more spring snaps at QB than any other player. With Jordan Luallen switching to receiver, Legaux is the apparent starter with senior Brendan Kay and redshirt freshman Patrick Coyne behind him. Legaux started five games while Collaros was injured last season. "I thought this was one of Munchie's best outings of the spring," said Jones following the spring Red and Black Scrimmage. "He showed great poise in the pocket. I really liked what I saw."

Jones also was pleased with the spring efforts of Coyne and Kay. But the odds still favor Legaux who passed for 749 yards and 5 touchdowns while rushing for 185 yards and 2 TDs. "I like the maturity we've seen from Brendan Kay with the amount of repetitions he received this spring," Jones said. "We have lot of young players who will have to grow up quick, particularly at quarterback."

At running back, Pead's replacement likely will by committee. Senior George Winn was dubbed the starting tailback late in camp, but he'll share carries with sophomores Jameel Poteat and Ralph David Abernathy IV who's also a dynamic kick returner. "It'll be a position group emphasis," Jones told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Last spring the Bearcats were coming off a disappointing 4-8 season and they began spring practice with a collective chip on their shoulder. After finishing 10-3 and co-champions of the Big East Conference with a victory over Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl, there was a different atmosphere surrounding spring practice this year. But Jones insists his players aren't satisfied.

"I feel a great sense of momentum coming into spring football," Jones said. "But I have not sensed any entitlement, or any lack of hunger. I really like the effort this team has given so far."

--Shannon Morrison was named defensive backs coach on March 27. Morrison replaces Kerry Coombs who left UC to join Urban Meyer's staff at Ohio State. Morrison, a 16-year coaching veteran, has served as defensive coordinator at five schools including Holy Cross and Bowling Green. Morrison is a four-time letter-winner at Marshall where he ranks sixth on the school's all-time interceptions list.

"Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our football staff," said UC head coach Butch Jones. "He known as an effective communicator who has the knack for getting the most out of his players. He has also established himself as a top recruiter."

--UC announced its 2012 regular season schedule which kicks off with a nationally-televised game against Big East Conference rival Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 6 at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats will play seven home games, all at Nippert Stadium. UC plays at new Big East member Temple on Nov. 10. The Bearcats host Fordham on Oct. 13, a game that replaces West Virginia which has left for the Big 12.

--Cincinnati and Ohio University agreed to a home-and-home series to begin at Nippert Stadium in 2018, with a return game at OU in 2020. The all-time series is tied at 23, but the two schools have not played since 1981.

SPRING MOVERS:

RB George Winn has had an impressive spring. Winn was UC's third-leading rusher last season with 219 yards and two TDs. Winn, along with sophomore Jameel Poteat and junior Ralph David Abernathy IV, will help the Bearcats replace Isaiah Pead.

DB Trenier Orr, a redshirt freshman, has put himself in line to start at defensive back. "We knew he was gifted when we recruited him," Butch Jones said.

DL Camaron Beard, a sophomore, is among the young defensive lineman that has stood out this spring with his mental intensity and the confidence he's gained, said Jones.

WR Kenbrell Thompkins has responded well to the challenge from coaches to improve his overall endurance this spring. Thompkins, the Bearcats' second-leading receiver last year, will start along with junior Anthony McClung who led UC with 683 receiving yards and six TDs.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This is a football team where our margin for error is going to be extremely small. We can't be a team that hurts ourselves. We have to play with tremendous effort, tremendous toughness. We know a little more about ourselves and our identity." -- UC head coach Butch Jones at the conclusion of spring practice.

2012 OUTLOOK: Optimism abounds for the Bearcats who finished 10-3, co-champions of the Big East Conference and Liberty Bowl champs with a 31-24 victory over Vanderbilt. Head coach Butch Jones hopes to carry the momentum from last season into his third season at the helm, but there are questions to be answered this spring, particularly at quarterback.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Munchie Legaux is the likely starter at quarterback, with Jordan Luallen assuming a dual role at receiver. The Bearcats lost leading rusher Isaiah Pead, but they'll be deep at running back with George Winn, Ralph David Abernathy IV and Jameel Poteat; the trio will likely share the carries. The receiving corps is strong led by junior Anthony McClung.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense was much-improved last season bolstered by its pass rush. Defensive ends Dan Giordano and Walter Stewart will anchor the middle, while LB Maalik Bomar will step into a leadership role with the departure of captain J.K. Schaffer. The Bearcats have a young, but deep secondary led by cornerback Cam Cheatham and safety Drew Frey. There's not much depth beyond the starters, however.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Ralph David Abernathy IV has the potential to be an explosive returner with a 26.5 average last season. Sophomore PK Tony Miliano hopes to build off his freshman season when he went 17-of-25 on field goals including 8-for-12 from 40-49 yards. Junior Pat O'Donnell averaged 43.8 yards per punt and placed 26 punts inside the 20 last season.

TOP NEWCOMERS:

RB Deionte Buckley was named the 5A running back of the year in Indiana after rushing for 1,610 yards and 27 touchdowns. He earned Associated Press first-team Class 5A all-state honors. While the Bearcats are deep at running back, Buckley could contribute early.

QB Bennie Coney enrolled at UC in January. Graded as a four-star recruit by 247sports.com, Coney is a dual-threat QB who could fit well into the Bearcats' spread system. He passed for 1,159 yards and ran for 360 as a junior.

TE DeShawn Dowdy has speed for his size. At 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, Dowdy is an adept pass catcher who was ranked as the No. 27 tight end by Rivals.com. He had six sacks as a junior.

RB Aaron Harris, one of the nation's top JUCO backs, missed the 2010 season with a knee injury, but recovered to rush for 870 yards and eight TDs. He compiled 164 all-purpose yards per game last season.

OL Caleb Stacy ranked among UC's top local recruits. Stacey, a 6-foot-4, 280 pound lineman from Cincinnati's Oak Hills high school chose the Bearcats over Boston College, Illinois and Michigan.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Sophomore LB Solomon Tentman is expected to start at linebacker this season after missing his first two seasons due to a severe knee injury suffered during spring practice his freshman year. Tentman, who hails from Cincinnati's Roger Bacon High School, tore three ligaments in his left knee during the final spring practice in 2010.

--Junior QB Jordan Luallen will split time at receiver this season. Head coach Butch Jones has spent time this spring installing a package of plays for Luallen who is working on the fine details of the WR position including his speed off the ball. "He's one of our best athletes, and one of our most competitive guys," Jones said. "We needed to get him on the field."

--Redshirt freshman DB Trenier Orr's strong spring likely has earned him a starting position.

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