What to expect from the Cincinnati Bearcats secondary following the Ty Goodwill injury

Projected Cincinnati Bearcats starting safety Ty Goodwill, who transferred in from Southern Alabama, was announced to have a season-ending Achilles injury earlier this month. With a big defensive piece out for the season for the Bearcats, who will step up and make impact plays in Goodwill's stead?

The first candidate to make some noise is CJ Crite, the sophomore defensive back from Lincolnton, Georgia. Standing at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Crite has the size to compete with just about anyone at the Power 4 level. Combining his size with his unique play style of never backing down from anyone, he could surprise a lot of college football fans this season. Bearcat Journal's Keegan Nickson has been vouching for Crite ever since the Goodwill injury, saying, "Have been itching for that kid to play since watching his high school tape. Will get his chance this season."

Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield mentioned CJ Jones as another player who should be seeing more opportunities with the Goodwill injury, but it is in his hands what he will do with the opportunities he is given. Jones is entering his sophomore season at Cincinnati, and the Chicago, Illinois native is hungry to get a chance. He appeared in two games for the Bearcats last season, against Northwestern State and the Liberty Bowl against Navy, where he recorded 3 solo tackles. The 5-foot-9 safety might be small, but with his freakish athleticism and high motor, it is hard to say how Jones will play in a bigger role.

KK Meier, a transfer cornerback from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will also see an increased snap count. Last season as a senior, Meier totaled 18 solo tackles and 5 pass deflections, rarely being targeted during the season. He is likely to have a harder time at the Power 4 level, but with Power 4 resources and a full offseason at Cincinnati, he could surprise people.

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