Top 5 Returning Players On The Cincinnati Bearcats Defense

Oct 19, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Tim Boyle (14) throws an interception to Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Deven Drane (not pictured) during the 2nd quarter of the game at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

5) Mike Tyson

Admittedly I waffled on this one. You could easily make the argument for Brad Harrah to be the fifth most important player back for Cincinnati 2014 as well as Adrian Witty. But from what little we saw of Mike Tyson, the true freshman appears to have a brighter future than either of the returning seniors.

Tyson played in just nine games last season but by the end of the year was Cincinnati’s go-to defensive back to give the starters a breather. He finished with 18 tackles and a pair of picks in 2013, including one of the most memorable interceptions in Bearcats history. Tyson impressed in UC’s spring game, despite the defense as a whole getting torched by Gunner Kiel’s cannon (pun intended) of an arm, and looks to be inline for a starting position this fall, potentially replacing Arryn Chenault.

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