UC football by Postion

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Breakdown provided by BleacherReport. Thought it might be worthwhile to post.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/363113-cincinnati-bearcats-2010-position-by-position#page/2

 

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QB

Once again quarterback will be a strong suit for the Bearcats. Junior Zach Collaros returns after spending a year as Tony Pike's backup. Collaros saw considerable playing time last year while Pike was out with an injury and UC will not miss a beat with Collaros under center.

Collaros not only has the ability to hurt opponents with his arm, but he also possesses tremendous speed and elusiveness. In four starts last season, Collaros accounted for over 1400 yards passing and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 132 yards in a victory over South Florida.

Depth will not be a problem for Cincinnati as junior Chazz Anderson will be behind Collaros. Anderson has seen limited playing time in each of the last two seasons.

New Orleans native Munchie Legaux is one of Cincinnati's highly-touted recruits. Rated one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the incoming class, Legaux will have a few years to develop behind Collaros.

Fellow three-star recruit Cody Kater from Michigan also could make an impact in the years to come.

 

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RB

In the backfield junior Isaiah Pead will look to improve on a stellar sophomore season. Pead was in the top 10 in the country in yards per carry last year (6.7) and new head coach Butch Jones will emphasize the running game a little more than the last regime.

With over 800 yards on only 120 carries, Pead will get many more touches in 2010 with the departure of Jacob Ramsey.

Pead will be joined in the backfield by sophomore Darrin Williams who saw limited playing time last season. Williams is a speedy back who will also return kicks.

Senior John Goebel who missed considerable action last season with injuries will return to full health and should help solidify a solid group of backs.

 

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WR/TE

For the third season in a row, wide receiver may be the biggest strength for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Senior Armon Binns will lead a group that totaled 28 touchdowns a season ago. Binns tied for the team lead with 11 TD's and amassed 888 yards receiving. At 6'4," Binns was a favorite target of Collaros for much of last season.

Junior D.J. Woods is the other returning starter. Woods saw considerable action as a freshman and blossomed last season with 640 yards and four touchdowns.

USC transfer Vidal Hazelton will fill out the position. One of the most sought after recruits in the country a few seasons ago, Hazelton led USC in receiving in 2007 and transferred to Cincinnati after the 2008 season. After sitting out the 2009 season, Hazelton should have a big impact in 2010.

The most prized recruit in the class of 2010 is four-star receiver Dyjuan Lewis from Indianapolis. Lewis has a chance to make an immediate impact with his size and athleticism.

At tight end, senior Ben Guidugli returns after totaling 364 yards on 27 receptions a season ago. Guidugli enters the season as one of the best pass catching tight ends in the Big East.

Junior Adrien Robinson, who saw considerable action last season, looks to have an even bigger impact in 2010. Sophomore Travis Kelce a converted quarterback is also a weapon for Cincinnati. Kelce has been used in the Wildcat as well as a regular tight end.

Three-star recruit Brad Harrah will not make an immediate impact, but has a chance to be a solid player in the future for the Bearcats.

 

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OL

Senior Jason Kelce anchors a stellar offensive line. This group returns three starters who spent most of last season successfully protecting Tony Pike and Zach Collaros.

Kelce will be joined by fellow seniors C.J. Cobb and Samuel Griffin and junior standout Alex Hoffman.

Hoffman and Kelce were both second team all-Big East performers last year on an offensive line that allowed less than a sack a game placing them in the top 10 in the country.

Another solid season by the offensive line will be a key for the Bearcats. With the spread offense run by Butch Jones, a lot of pressure is put on this group and for the team to be successful, it all starts with the offensive line.

Three start recruits Kevin Schloemer and Clint Shepherd, both Ohio natives, could see action as true freshman. At 6'7" and 274 pounds, Schloemer has the size to play at this level.

 

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DL

For the 2009 Cincinnati Bearcats, defense was a glaring weakness. With only five starters back from a team that gave up 51 points to Florida in the Sugar Bowl, there is clearly work to do on this side of the ball. That work begins up front.

Defensive tackle Derek Wolfe is the lone returning starter on the line. Wolfe had a solid sophomore season after seeing meaningful action as a true freshman. If Cincinnati is to be successful on defense, it all starts up front and it all starts with this guy.

Sophomore Brandon Mills is Wolfe's immediate backup, but these two spend plenty of time on the field together clogging the middle. While a bit undersized, Mills is as tough as they come and was a force at times during his freshman season.

The Bearcats will have to replace defensive ends Alex Daniels and Ricardo Mathews from a season ago. Sophomore Dan Goirdano and junior John Hughes are first in line to fill those vacancies. Both players were in the rotation last year and played big time minutes in crucial games.

While the backup positions are up for grabs, there are a few recruits who could step in here and make an immediate impact for Cincinnati.

Defensive end Camaron Beard from Indianapolis has a chance to be a strong contributor next season for the Bearcats. Rated one of the best prospects in Indiana, Beard is a gifted end at 6'6" and 235 pounds.

Fellow three-star recruit Josh Russ from Elyria, Ohio is 6'5" and also could make an impact right away for Cincinnati.

 

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LB

As far as returners go, linebacker is the strongest position on defense for Cincinnati. The Bearcats will have to replace all Big East performer and leading tackler Andre Revels, but the cast coming back is a certainly a strong point of this otherwise questionable defense.

Junior J.K. Schaffer who was second on the team in tackles last season returns at inside linebacker. Schaffer made huge plays for the defense throughout the season and finished with over 100 tackles.

Outside linebacker should also be a strength for the Bearcats as sophomore Walter Stewart returns. Stewart started nearly every game as a freshman and looks to improve on his 2009 season.

At the other outside position is Demetrius Jones, the Notre Dame transfer. After moving from quarterback last season, Jones began the year as a starter before injuries hampered him the rest of the way. Look for this senior to have a big season with another offseason of learning the position.

After these three, the linebacker position is wide open. With prized recruit Solomon Tentman an inside linebacker himself, this is the perfect opportunity for a youngster to step into the starting role.

Rated one of the top 20 inside linebackers in the recruiting class, Tentman is a local product who has a chance to be an impact player for Cincinnati over the next four years.

 

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DB

If Cincinnati wants to duplicate the season they had a year ago, they have to get better in the defensive backfield. All Big East safety Aaron Webster is now gone as is cornerback Brad Jones. Two starters return and many youngsters will have a chance to compete for starting jobs at these positions.

Junior Dominique Battle is back at cornerback. Battle has all the talent to be successful. After backing up two NFL draft picks as a true freshman in 2008, Battle stepped into the starting role last season and had a sub par year. With a year of experience under his belt, Battle will look to improve on the two interceptions he had a year ago.

Across from Battle, the position is up for grabs. Top contenders include redshirt freshman Chris Williams. Williams was a highly touted recruit a season ago and after a year of watching may be ready to step in and start. Sophomore Camerron Cheatham saw action as a true freshman last year and is also in the mix.

At safety, fourth-year sophomore Drew Frey returns. Frey had a solid season last year with 68 tackles and two interceptions.

The starter alongside Frey is also wide open with sophomore Patrick Lambert and junior Wesley Richardson in the mix.

Freshman recruit Arryn Chenault is a gifted corner who could be in the conversation for a starting role. Chenault is a local kid from Fairfield, Oh. who chose Cincinnati over some solid Big Ten schools.

 

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ST

On special teams, Cincinnati will have to replace one of its greatest players in school history with the departure of Mardy Gilyard. Gilyard did it all for the Bearcats, including retuning punts and kickoffs.

Filling his shoes on kickoff returns will be sophomore Darrin Williams. Williams returned kicks last year alongside Gilyard and took one to the house in a 70-3 victory over Southeast Missouri St.

Receiver D.J. Woods will likely be the the man chosen to return punts. Woods had a few returns as a freshman in 2008 and last season and has the explosiveness and elusiveness to be successful.

Kicker Jake Rogers returns for his senior season. Rogers had an up and down campaign in 2009 making 13 of 19 attempts and looks to improve his consistency this year. He definitely has the strength, it is just a matter of being accurate. Rogers will once again double as punter in 2010.