Bearcats land their first running back recruit in the class of 2026

Cedric Kouemi is a 6-foot, 215-pound running back from Potomac, Maryland, and marks the first running back to commit to the Cincinnati Bearcats as part of the class of 2026. Kouemi chose the Bearcats over schools like Virginia, James Madison, Rutgers, and North Carolina. Kouemi is one of the more competitive prospects that the Bearcats have landed in the class of 2026.

Kouemi played 9 games last season for Bullis High School and put up 1,301 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 8 yards per carry. Those stats alone were enough to help Kouemi finish with 1st team all-conference, region, state, and metro honors while also being a 2 time Washington Post player of the week this past season.

Kouemi has great vision and breakaway speed, finding holes to run through with ease, while then turning on the jets and letting no one catch him. He can turn a botched blocking scheme into a first down, and he can also do some damage catching balls out of the backfield. He is an offensive coordinator's dream.