Bearcats add local talent, land first 2026 linebacker from Taft High School

The Cincinnati Bearcats add their 16th commitment to the class of 2026 and their first linebacker, Adam Kirtley, a 3-star prospect from Taft High School, just 2 miles from the University of Cincinnati Campus. Taft High School has always been known for producing a lot of great athletes, many of whom have chosen to go to Cincinnati

Kirtley is a lean 6-foot-2, 215-pounder who finished his junior year of high school football as a First Team All-CMAC selection and an All-State honorable mention. Kirtley totaled an impressive 155 tackles, 82 of them being solo, while also having 24 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 pass breakups, and 8 quarterback hurries.

Kirtley was hosted for a workout on June 17 with the linebackers coach Cort Baswell and was given an offer shortly after the workout. Kirtley chose Cincinnati over schools like James Madison, Marshall, Temple, Ohio, and many others.

Kirtley is a one-of-a-kind athlete, able to get downfield quickly to make a tackle for a loss or fill a gap while also having the great ability to cover running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers if needed. He could end up blossoming into a role that we saw Ivan Pace Jr. play in 2022, and Jared Bartlett last season, the leader of the defense that has very few flaws athletically.