Cincinnati Recruiting: Linebacker Tyquan Statham Signs With The UC Bearcats

Three-star linebacker Tyquan Statham has officially signed with the Cincinnati Bearcats for their 2016 recruiting class on National Signing Day.

OVERVIEW

• Position: Linebacker
• Hometown: Oakwood, GA
• High School: West Hills
• Height, Weight: 6’2″, 210 lbs
• Offers: Iowa, Duke, Virginia, Boston College, NC State
• Composite Rating: *** – 86
• 247 Sports Rating: *** – 87
• ESPN Rating: *** – 78
• Rivals Rating: *** – 5.5
• Scout Rating: ***

HIGHLIGHTS

OUTLOOK

Statham is a dual-purpose player who sees time at running back and linebacker. But the Bearcats are apparently going to start him off at linebacker, which make sense for a guy with a name like his. They’d prefer he use and abuse opposing quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends rather than line up in the backfield. UC already has Mike Boone, Tion Green, Taylor Boose, and Joshuwa Holloman for that. At linebacker? It’s a little thin.

That being said, I’m not sure Statham sees the field as a true freshman. With the advent of the spread offense, Cincinnati doesn’t leverage the 4-3 defense as much anymore, typically starting just two linebackers at a time. Those two will be Bryce Jenkinson and Eric Wilson again next season, along with several other returning players. As such, Statham could very well be redshirted in 2016.