Cincinnati Bearcats Wrap Up National Signing Day

Big day for Cincinnati Bearcats football! Here’s a recap of everything you need to know about the recruiting class Tommy Tuberville and his staff just signed.

What’s the breakdown by position?

Among the 25 offered players, 8 on offense, 15 on defense, and 2 specialists. The following groupings are just how they are listed on National Signing Day and all subject to change as these recruits progress through their careers at Cincinnati.

• 5 defensive tackles
• 3 offensive linemen
• 3 cornerbacks
• 3 safeties
• 2 quarterbacks
• 2 linebackers
• 2 defensive ends
• 2 wide receivers
• 1 runningback
• 1 punter
• 1 kicker

Where does this recruiting class rank compared to the last one?

Overall, pretty much on par with Tuberville’s previous class.

• 247 Sports: 66th (down 3 spots from 2013)
• Rivals: 63rd (up 8 spots from 2013)
• Scout: 61st (down 9 spots from 2013)

Who’s the headliner?

That’s a tossup between Kevin Mouhon and Casey Gladney. Both put up monster numbers at the high school and JUCO level respectively and could make an impact at Cincinnati right away.

Mouhon is definitely the star of the defense, garnering offers from across the SEC and well over two-dozen in general. He’s a 4-star recruit by some services with excellent game film. I’m really excited to see him in red and black next season. On the offensive side of the ball, Casey Gladney looks to be another talented receiver in Cincinnati’s arsenal. He averaged over 100 yards receiving per game at his Junior College and is looking to make a similar impact at UC. I don’t see why he couldn’t.

Where were the biggest hits and misses?

Defensive tackle was a huge, huge, HUGE need for Cincinnati in the 2014 class and the Bearcats signed 5 of them (6 if Joel Thompson can get cleared). Now, some players like Je’Merez Bowen and Keith Minor might move around but overall the Bearcats stockpiled a ton of interior linemen in this cycle. Additionally I like what Tuberville and his staff did in the secondary, signing 6 defensive backs.

The biggest miss, other than Spencer Williams (fist shake in the direction of Missouri), was at runningback. The official UC site lists Mike Boone as the lone runningback in the class. But he played wide receiver in high school and while he might able to make the transition, I was hoping the Bearcats would have added 1-2 true bruising runningbacks. Players in the neighborhood of 5’11” 200+ lbs would have been ideal.

Best name?

Unlike in previous years, Cincinnati doesn’t boast a slew of impressively-named recruits at the level of a Munchie Legaux or Leviticus Payne. If I’m going to pick one player it would have to be Cortez Broughton. I’m not sure the origin of his first name but any reference to a Spanish conquistador always earns points in my book. The runner up would have to be Ryan Stout, because his last name makes me think of happy hour and that’s a good thing.

Best size?

Hakeem Allonce clocks in at 6’5” and 290 lbs. No current defensive tackle on the roster can match his unique blend of height and weight. Also Chris Ferguson is 6’4” and 275 lbs. As a teenager. And he’ll be a freshman at UC next year. Geesh. I hope the UC nutrition program is ready to make extra food for this incoming class.

Best signing day picture?

Davon Witherspoon.

It looks like he’s ready to crack some heads for the Bearcats.

What else?

Nothing much. Four of these players are already on campus (Evans, Moore, Stephens, Tappan) and will participate in Winter workouts when they begin on February 28^th. The last thing to do is cross our fingers all of these guys make it to campus and soak in the next crop of Bearcat football players.