Cincinnati Football: Quotes on the Bearcats ongoing quarterback battle

With spring practice in the rearview mirror and three months until the regular season starts, the Bearcats quarterback battle remains undecided. Ben Bryant and Evan Prater will continue to compete for the starting spot when fall practice begins. Bryant recently returned to Cincinnati after playing at Eastern Michigan last year, while Prater was the highest ranked recruit in school history and is heading into his third season.

Cincinnati Football: Quotes on the Bearcats ongoing quarterback battle

“I don’t know that it’s fair to say who’s ahead or who’s not ahead. We know that going into fall camp, it’s going to be a competition. Those guys have got to work together. Hopefully we can figure that thing out by the time the season rolls around,” head coach Luke Fickell told the Cincinnati Enquirer following spring practice in April. “We’re in a great place but this summer is going to be really huge for us.”

According to the Athletic, first-year offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli talked about the quarterback battle in February: “It’s going to be a great competition. I can’t wait to see those two compete here in the spring and the fall. Our quarterback room is a great room. Those guys all respect how each other work and are going to compete. Then when it’s all said and done in the fall, understand, okay this guy beat me out.”

Prater also discussed his perspective on the pending decision per Keith Jenkins: “They were very transparent with me. They just told me that competition is going to bring the best out of both of us. We fuel each other to be the best every day out here. I’m just excited for him to be a part of it. We are here to compete. It’s not like our relationship has changed at all with him being away for a year but glad to have him back.”

Since deciding to return to Cincinnati, Bryant shared his thoughts on the situation via the Athletic: “It feels so good. I’m so happy to be back. This is where I wanted to be from the beginning. You have to focus on yourself and make sure you’re doing everything you can to compete and do the job. The coaches here are going to play the best man. Whoever that person is, we’re going to do our best and play to win.”