Cincy on the Prowl
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UC Bearcats Add JUCOs Antonio Kinard, Bryan Wright To 2015 Class

By Chris Bains

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In addition to linebacker Jaylyin Minor, the Cincinnati Bearcats have gained commitments from JUCO linebacker Antonio Kinard (Arizona Western CC) and defensive end Bryan Wright (Jireh Prep). It sounds like both could enroll early at UC.

ANTONIO KINARD

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
  • Junior College: Arizona Western
  • Height, Weight: 6’3″, 220 lbs
  • Offers: California, Louisville, Utah
  • Composite Rating: *** – 82
  • 247 Sports Rating: *** – 88
  • ESPN Rating: *** – 76
  • Rivals Rating: –
  • Scout Rating: –

Kinard was actually a Miami Hurricanes commit two years ago but for one reason or another he never made it to campus. So he signed with Arizona Western, piling up 106 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception last season. He visited Cincinnati over the weekend and came away so impressed to choose the Bearcats over California, Louisville, and Utah. Like Minor, the appeal of early playing time may have swayed Kinard to cast his lot with UC. Starters Jeff Luc and Nick Temple along with rotational backup Clemente Casseus will be gone to graduation after this year. It’s unclear who among the relatively green players behind them will get most of the reps in 2015. Kinard probably sees that situation as a way to see the field from day one at Cincinnati.

BRYAN WRIGHT

  • Position: Defensive End
  • Hometown: –
  • Prep School: Jireh
  • Height, Weight: 6’4″, 235 lbs
  • Offers: –
  • Composite Rating: –
  • 247 Sports Rating: –
  • ESPN Rating: –
  • Rivals Rating: –
  • Scout Rating: –

Wright commits to Cincinnati via Jireh Preparatory School in North Carolina. While not technically a junior college, in that athletes only enroll for one year, it allows players with substandard academics to get their grades up. Then they can hopefully transition to the JUCO or regular collegiate ranks. That looks to be the case with Wright who’s a big bodied defensive end who could come in and play right away with Terrell Hartsfield, Jerrell Jordan, and Brad Harrah graduating after this season.