Cincinnati Football: Bearcats senior running back Ryan Montgomery set to return next season

Cincinnati Bearcats senior running back Ryan Montgomery announced his decision to return for a fifth year after recording 335 total yards and five touchdowns in nine games last season.

Leading up to the season opener in September, Montgomery was named the starting running back before suffering a rib injury in the loss, which forced him to miss over a month of action.

Montgomery was able to return in early October and went onto lead Cincinnati in rushing yards three times including racking up 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns on Senior Day.

Despite losing leading rusher Charles McClelland, the Bearcats should have a solid rushing attack as Montgomery will return alongside Corey Kiner, Myles Montgomery and Ethan Wright.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats senior running back Ryan Montgomery set to return next season

It’s going to be a difficult transition into the Big 12 next season but first-year head coach Scott Satterfield should lean on several veteran returners including the senior running back.

In addition to Montgomery, sixth-year quarterback Ben Bryant, sixth-year defensive end Malik Vann and fifth-year defensive tackle Jowon Briggs revealed their decision to come back.

Briggs was a big part of the dominant defensive line unit last year with senior defensive end Jabari Taylor, junior edge rusher Eric Phillips Jr, freshman tackle Dontay Corleone and others.

Bryant is expected to compete with returning quarterbacks Evan Prater and Brady Lichtenberg, plus Arizona State transfer Emory Jones and freshman Brady Drogosh for the starting spot.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats defensive end Malik Vann reveals return for sixth year

Cincinnati native and Bearcats veteran edge rusher Malik Vann recently revealed he will return for his sixth year after suffering a season-ending upper body injury in early September.

During a win over Kennesaw State in the Bearcats home opener, Vann went down with a pectoral injury and was forced to miss the remainder of his senior campaign due to surgery.

After committing to Cincinnati almost six years ago, Vann became a part of the defensive line rotation as a sophomore in 2019 and eventually developed into a significant contributor.

Vann has recorded 90 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 47 games throughout his five-year career, helping the Bearcats secure back to back conference championships.