7 Bearcat Football players who are due for a big year in 2025

Fall Training Camp starts for the Cincinnati Bearcats on Monday, July 28th. With Summer workouts coming to an end, the "Iron Bearcats" list has been released. These players are being recognized for their unwavering effort, attitude, toughness, and leadership throughout the summer.

Dakari Anderson

Dakari Anderson is going into his sophomore season with the Bearcats. The wide receiver from Perry, Georgia, didn't see the field a ton last season but is due for a big breakout season this year and should be one of the premier skill players featured in the offense.

Patrick Gurd

Patrick Gurd is going into his third season of college football, playing at Ohio State for the last two seasons. Gurd was in the same tight end room as Joe Royer in 2023, and that connection seemed to initiate his transfer to Cincinnati. Gurd is from New Albany, Ohio, and only caught two passes in two seasons as a Buckeye, being primarily used as a blocker. Gurd will be the No.2 tight end behind Royer and will help the Bearcats create a more dynamic offense out of the position.

Gavin Gerhardt

Gavin Gerhardt is once again named a team captain for the Cincinnati Bearcats, showcasing his leadership, hard work, and toughness. Gerhardt will be starting on the offensive line for the Bearcats this season, the leader of the group. Gerhardt was one of 4 Bearcat players in attendance for the Big 12 Media Days, telling how much the offensive line will improve this season.

Ben Blevins

Ben Blevins is a 6-foot-1 defensive tackle going into his senior season. Blevins is from Maineville, Ohio, and has been a Bearcat his whole collegiate career. It is unclear what kind of role Blevins will play for the Bearcats this upcoming season, but he has been an outstanding leader for the defense and will impact the team if he is on the field or not.

Kye Stokes

Kye Stokes is going into his Junior Season of collegiate football after transferring to Cincinnati last season out of Ohio State. The 6-foot-1 safety from Tampa, Florida, totaled 7 tackles last season in the 12 games he played in last season. Stokes will be in a starter role next season and is due for a big breakout season. Stokes is a high-energy, game-changing athlete, and the more he can get on the field, the more success the Bearcats' defense will have.

Jack Dingle

Jack Dingle is going into his fifth and final season in a Bearcat uniform and is on pace to have his best season yet. The 6-foot-4 linebacker from Louisville, Kentucky, had 38 total tackles last season and was one of the highest-rated linebackers in coverage last season. At Dingle's size, he takes up a lot of space if he fills in a gap or drops in coverage, making him one of the biggest impact players for the Bearcats. Dingle plays primarily middle linebacker for the Bearcats and will be one of the biggest parts of their defense next season.

Brendan Sorsby

Brendan Sorsby making the "Iron Bearcats" list is something that can't be stressed as more important. As the starting quarterback, Sorsby is naturally one of the biggest leaders on the team. Sorsby buying into that role is big for the program, and for the team this upcoming season. Sorsby, in his first season last year, was extremely impressive and is due for an even bigger year this year.