Cincinnati Football: Recruiting should continue to flourish in the Big 12

The Bearcats have built a program-record breaking recruiting class because of many reasons but the upcoming move to the Big 12 is an undeniable factor. Elite prospects across the country want a chance to play at the highest level and there’s no doubt that the coaching staff will use that to attract recruits.

Cincinnati Football: Recruiting should continue to flourish in the Big 12

Just in the last two weeks, Cincinnati has landed 12 verbal commitments including 4-star cornerback Amare Snowden, 3-star defensive lineman Kamari Burns, 3-star wide receiver Ayden Greene and many talented prospects. The Bearcats also recently flipped former Indiana commit Daeh McCullough and West Virginia commit Cameron Calhoun.

"“Our coaches are in on recruits they’ve never been in on before and coach Fickell has done an amazing job,” director of athletics John Cunningham said in a press conference this week per Cincinnati Athletics. “Just look at the culture of football and the nine guys we’re putting in the NFL. I think this year gave us a sense of what’s going to be needed."

Even though it’s still early in the 2023 recruiting cycle, there has been a lot of excitement around the program lately and for good reason. According to 247 Sports, Cincinnati has the 4th highest ranked class in the country and there’s reason to believe the conference realignment has a major impact.

"Cunningham continued by discussing how the Big 12 announcement could change recruiting: “I think we were going to be successful no matter what but certainly the talent is going to increase overall because of the Big 12. We drove the brand this year in a really special way and then as we go to the Big 12 it’ll just be enhanced.”"