Guys, we've known about this one for almost two months. It was just a matter of taking his official visit, then waiting for the right time to commit. The Bearcats are giddy about this one. As Skinner told me in a story back in April, he'll be in a WR/TE hybrid role, which he really is excited about:

On Friday night, UC added linebacker CJ Crite for 2025. This is a kid we were not told was visiting last weekend, so the Bearcats worked to keep him under wraps. Tells me they think they got a steal here.

This one seems like a longshot, but he did stop by campus yesterday for a visit during an east coast swing and got an offer:
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As we did last week, breaking down all the official visitors for the Bearcats. This weekend looks to be the biggest and arguably most important overall, to solidify a couple of commitment and possibly snag a few more.

One more from Cameron King, who was at EYBL in Kansas City. Here's his analysis of Hannah, who's become a very highly-sought target for the Bearcats:

Offer came after he camped at UC yesterday. I'm told he looked impressive in one on ones.
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Hey guys, following up my INsider, here's the full story on Hayer. Again, UC in decent position, but I think has to be considered behind Maryland and Rutgers. He could very well go away from home, but listening to him, he sounds like a homebody who wants to be close to family.

Hey y'all, following up my INsider the other day on Grant Beerman. Below is the full story. I still think this one is between UC and Purdue. But there's interest in West Virginia and Michigan State, so we'll see. I don't feel confident enough to put a FutureCast in for the Bearcats just yet:

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Hey y'all, I just got off the phone with UC's other highly ranked official visitor from last weekend, Tariq Hayer. This was his first official visit, though he has at least three more, maybe four.
Login to view embedded media Hayer told me this was the second time he'd visited UC. The other was for the game against Baylor in October. That says a lot, that he hasn't visited in eight months, but still wanted to take an official. He loved the campus, but THE reason Hayer said he's interested is assistant coach Kerry Coombs.

It sounds like Hayer and Coombs have a great relationship. Hayer told me he loves Coombs' history of DBs he's coached getting to the NFL. Hayer said they watched film of a lot of those guys in his office. But what stood out the most is that Coombs apparently told him two techniques to use and they practiced both, literally in his office. That's pretty cool.

This weekend, Hayer is headed to Rutgers for an official visit, June 14 at Michigan State and June 21 at Maryland. The latter I think is the favorite. Partly it's from this quote, "They really emphasize that I can get something from them, that I don’t have to go far to get what I want. Outside of that, they have what everyone else has." Hayer has some younger siblings, including a five-year old sister (she was giggling about farting during the interview) and I think he'd like to stay close to home. That said, I think Rutgers is also a possibility.

BUT, Hayer did tell me Michigan has been trying to get in last second and get him to take a midweek official visit. I think there's a good chance that could happen. Houston has also been in contact about an official, but I don't think there's a ton of interest there. So, Bearcats are in a decent spot, but definitely not the leader here after the official. Coombs is working this one pretty hard, but not sure if the pull to stay close to home will be too much.

Full story coming.

So, as a reminder, a D-I team can have 13 scholarship players, 15 total on an active roster. Here's who we've tracked so far, assuming everyone stays (won't happen, so will adjust accordingly):

Departures:
John Newman III --- eligibility exhausted
Ody Oguama --- eligibility exhausted
Viktor Lakhin --- transfer to Clemson (1 yr remaining)
Jamille Reynolds --- transfer to USF (1 yr remaining)
Sage Tolentino --- transfer to UNC Asheville (3 yrs remaining)
Landen Long -- eligibility exhausted (walk-on)

Returning:
Day Day Thomas --- 1 season left (publicly announced return)
CJ Fredrick -- 1 season left (publicly announced return)
Simas Lukosius --- 1 season left (publicly announced return)
Aziz Bandaogo --- 1 season left (testing NBA Draft stock. Door open for return)
Dan Skillings --- 2 seasons left (publicly announced return)
Josh Reed --- 2 seasons left (publicly announced return)
Jizzle James --- 3 seasons left (publicly announced return)
Rayvon Griffith --- 4 seasons left (redshirt) (publicly announced return)

Additions:
Tyler Betsey -- four-star HS SF (4 seasons left)
Tyler McKinley -- four-star HS PF (4 seasons left)
Connor Hickman -- SG transfer from Bradley (1 season left)
Arrinten Page -- PF transfer from USC (3 seasons left)
Dillon Mitchell -- PF/C transfer from Texas (2 seasons left)

Mitchell's addition completes the roster for now. Quite impressive the haul that Wes Miller brought in. With Mitchell, I think you can argue that UC definitely upgraded. We're talking about a definite top-25 team in my mind, I'd guess around No. 20.

Hey guys, Cam King caught up with Reece in Kansas City for EYBL. But I included a video interview our friend Rob Cassidy did over the weekend as well, at Pangos:

He joined last week, but Bearcats made official yesterday. Release from UC:

Cincinnati men's basketball head coach Wes Miller has announced the hiring of veteran coach Tim Buckley to fill out his 2024-25 assistant coaching staff.

"I'm excited to welcome Tim Buckley to our staff," Miller said. "He brings a wealth of experience that is unique in college basketball. He has experience working with great players and great coaches as a high major assistant, and he's been a part of very successful teams. On top of that, he's been a head coach and has spent time recently in the NBA."

Buckley, previously at South Carolina for two years, spent 10 years as a head coach at Ball State (2000-06) and NCAA Division III Rockford in Illinois (1989-93). He has more than 35 years of coaching experience overall with recent assistant stops at South Carolina, UNLV, Indiana, Marquette and Iowa. While at Ball State, he helped lead the team to upset wins over No. 3 Kansas and No. 4 UCLA during the 2001 Maui Invitational.

Buckley boasts familiarity with the Bearcats, as he previously worked with coaches Jake Thelen and Drew Adams at Indiana, as well as with Adams when he was a walk-on under Steve Alford at Iowa.

This past season, South Carolina posted its greatest single-season turnaround in school history at 26-8, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. The 26 victories tied the 2016-17 Final Four team for the most wins in program history.

South Carolina allowed just 66.4 points per game during the regular season in 2023-24, which led the SEC, and was one of just four teams in the SEC to rank in the top-50 of adjusted efficiency on offense and defense via KenPom.

Prior to his Columbia stint, he was an assistant at UNLV from 2019-22, first under current Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger, then remained for the 2021-22 season with Kevin Kruger.

UNLV had its best of the three seasons in 2019-20, finishing in a tie for second in the Mountain West Conference, its best finish in 12 seasons. The Rebels' marquee win was at No. 4 San Diego State, their highest ranked true road win in 29 years.

During the summer of 2020, Buckley was named one of the top assistant coaches in the Mountain West by Stadium's Jeff Goodman.

Buckley served as a scout with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves for two years (2017-19) before returning to coaching with the Runnin' Rebels. Prior to his time in the league, he worked as assistant and associate head coach under Tom Crean and Indiana for nine seasons (2008-17).

He was on staff for the entire Crean tenure in Bloomington, helping the Hoosiers to a 166-135 record (.551) including a 138-69 mark (.667) the last six seasons there. While at IU, Buckley was a part of two Big Ten titles (2013, 2016), four NCAA Tournament appearances and three trips to the Sweet Sixteen. He helped coach three All-Americans in Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo and Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell.

Buckley had assistant coaching stops at Marquette (2007-08) under Crean and at Iowa (2006-07) under Alford.

His collegiate coaching career began at NCAA Division II Bemidji State. Buckley played collegiately at Waubonsee Community College in Illinois before finishing at Bemidji State where he would earn his bachelor's and master's degrees.

Buckley and his wife Shannon, married in 1994, have one daughter, Meredith.

While our guy Cam King was in Kansas City for EYBL, he caught up with UC target Davion Hannah. Bearcats feel good here, but a lot of other big schools involved, too.

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Guys, I literally just got off the phone with Beerman, who was the headliner for UC and its official visits over the weekend. The lone four-star to have visited:
Login to view embedded media First off, Beerman said he hasn't put any top list out, but he's down to UC, Purdue, Michigan State, West Virginia and Rutgers. But it doesn't sound like he'll officially visit Rutgers and I honestly think this is down to the first two-- UC and Purdue.

As you all know, Beerman has been to campus in Clifton numerous times, since he lives so close. He told me the official visit was a recap of everything and taking one final look at the relationships he has with the players, the coaches and everyone in and around the program. Beerman told me THE selling point for UC is how close it is to home. He loves the idea of his family being able to see all of his games. And he told me he knows no other school could offer that.

The thing I hadn't realized was that while he talks to assistant coach Kerry Coombs a lot, here this spring, he's gotten close with assistant coach Cortney Braswell. Beerman said he's gotten to know Braswell and his wife and that especially between this weekend and when he visited for a spring practice in March, he really got to know Braswell. "He’s real," Beerman told me. "He’s not faking it for a recruit or lying. It makes me wanna play for him." Shout out here to Zach Grant and Jack Griffith as well, whom Beerman said he also loves. He told me both have done a great job of staying in contact and keeping him involved.

This coming weekend, Beerman will officially visit Purdue and June 14 he'll officially visit Michigan State. He told me it's not set, but he'll likely use an official on West Virginia June 21. One reason I say Rutgers is out is he doesn't plan to officially visit there. But I think he likes a few of the staff and said he's gonna try to work in an unofficial visit.

Beerman told me, "I think I have a good idea," of where he wants to go. I don't feel quite confident enough yet to Future Cast the Bearcats, but it's close. After this interview, I think UC is in front, with Purdue close behind. Michigan State and West Virginia are darkhorses. And I wouldn't rule any of those three out, since he's taking OVs there. But hearing what matters most to him, hearing him talk about UC, staying home, I think the Bearcats are the leaders.

Full story coming.

Hey al, if you notice, all of UC's commitments for 2025 are now three-stars. The Rivals team just finished rankings meetings and have now updated the class rankings. Here's the link to the state by state rankings as well, if you're interested:

Guys, I'd mentioned that our Cameron King was in Kansas City last weekend for EYBL. He'll have more coming, but he did an analysis of Jalen Reece, who has emerged as one of UC's top targets in the 2025 class. The Bearcats seem to be in good position here right now:

At the meetings, our friend Ross Dellenger reported that Brett Yormark said $470 million will be distributed to conference members:
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First of what will be a long list of pre-season accolades for Corleone. Release from UC:

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Dontay Corleone has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy.

The 42-man Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List is comprised of 18 defensive backs, 13 defensive linemen and 11 linebackers. Corleone is one of seven Big 12 players to make the list.

Corleone collected 39 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble this past season for the Bearcats, earning him All-Big 12 honors. The Cincinnati native was named an All-American by the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus in 2022, tallying 45 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a freshman.

The last Bearcat to be named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list was Coby Bryant in 2021.

// ABOUT THE LOTT IMPACT TROPHY
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is the only major college football award that considers character. Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy annually goes to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, a player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.

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Hey guys, continuing on with some of the 2026/2027 guys, I caught up with 2026 TE Brayden Fogle. The interesting thing here is that he's getting offers for both football and basketball.
Login to view embedded media On the football side, UC just offered him last week and joins Michigan State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Indiana and West Virginia. On the basketball side, he has Texas A&M, Arizona State, Kent State, Radford, IUPUI and UTGRV. But most of those basketball offers came last year, so I think many believe his upside is in football. There's a possibility he could take a football scholarship somewhere and also play basketball. But currently, the only ones to mention that are Syracuse and Akron. Still, that's something to watch.

With UC, Fogle said he doesn't know a ton. He's talked to assistant coach Josh Stepp, who offered him, but they just met last Tuesday. I know Stepp has seen Fogle workout, but there hasn't been a ton more than that right now. Fogle said he's working on setting a visit this summer, but not sure when.

No visits set right now, but Fogle did visit Ohio State, Penn State and Syracuse this spring. He's playing EYBL this summer for All-Ohio Red and was in Kansas City over the weekend. So basketball is the focus right now. The school I'd watch here right now is Syracuse, as he's visited, they're talking about him playing both sports and he has a relationship with the coaching staffs there. It's far from to late for UC or others to get in, but they need to get him on campus. And if coach Wes Miller isn't interested in bringing him on as a walk-on for basketball, that could also deter things. But we'll see.

Full story coming.

Here's the release from UC, but we know the times and TV for the Bearcats' first three games:

Cincinnati football will kick off the 2024 season at 2:30 p.m. ET against Towson on ESPN+ at Nippert Stadium to headline the Bearcats’ game times for the first three weeks of the fall.

The Big 12 announced several game times and network options on Thursday.

Cincinnati will host Pitt in a “River City Rivalry” matchup at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN2 on Sept. 7 before traveling to Miami (Ohio) for the 128th “Battle for the Victory Bell” at 12 p.m. ET on ESPNU on Sept. 14.

UC travels to Yager Stadium for the first time since 2017. The UC-Miami series is the oldest non-conference college football rivalry with the first game being played on Dec. 8, 1888.

Cincinnati's Oct. 26 game at Colorado was also announced as an ESPN selection. The time and network will be announced at a later date.

Cincinnati Football First Three Weeks Game Times

Aug. 31, vs. Towson, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Sept. 7, vs. Pitt, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN or ESPN2)
Sept. 14, at Miami (Ohio), 12 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Miller talked about the Bearcats' recent additions and other questions from the media on Wednesday:

Following up my previous INsider, full story on Fryzel, who I think will turn out to be a high three star, maybe low four-star prospect. I mean, he has great size and shows some flashes: