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Guys, I'm following up on guys from the summer, now that the AAU season is over. One player I know UC checked in on was three-star two-guard Dajuan Gordon, who played this summer with Team Rose out of Chicago.

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For now, the Bearcats aren't in much pursuit, but I wanted to see where Gordon was in his recruitment. he said he now has 20 offers, most recently from SMU, Xavier and Nebraska. Gordon didn't mention favoring any school or schools, but the one he kept bringing up in conversation was Xavier. So it sounds like the Muskies have a slight lead here.

As far as UC goes, Gordon said the Bearcats' staff has reached out to his AAU coach, Jerrell Oliver. And Gordon is interested, should UC pick it up much, but that's about it right now. The Bearcats have not offered. They got one of the top guards they wanted this week, in Samari Curtis, who we had an INsider on Monday before he committed. But we'll have to wait and see where they are once the team gets back from its trip to Canada. Don't expect a ton of movement right now because of that. But expect UC to get back into hosting a few recruits in the weeks following the team's return on Wednesday.

Full story coming on Gordon.

as Jason sort of predicted

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Guys, I talked earlier with 2020 three-star OL Walker Parks. He transferred schools this summer from Lexington Christian (Ky.) to crosstown Frederick Douglass (Ky.). He's also been a rather hot commodity this summer, adding offers from Clemson, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt.

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The last time I spoke with Parks, back in May, he had just visited UC. He did talk mostly about the news offers, as well as Virginia Tech, but he told me the Bearcats are still an option. Parks said he still talks regularly with assistant coach Ron Crook and they have a good relationship. Parks' new teammate is also UC commit Cameron Jones. Those two aren't too tight yet, but it's still worth noting. Parks told me he definitely wants to get to UC this fall to watch Jones play, so you can bet Jones will be on Parks.

Still, it sounds like realistically, the Bearcats are probably fifth right now, behind Clemson, VT, Notre Dame and Kentucky. Remember, Parks is a legacy at UK, where his dad played in the early 1990s. Parks has been to UK a lot through the years, so he's plenty familiar. Strangely, though, Parks said he's never been to a Wildcats game as a recruit and wants to do that this fall. He's always just gone with his dad, as fans.

The school that sounds clearly out in front is Clemson. Parks talked more about the Tigers than anyone else. Probably twice as much more. He loved plenty about his time there in June, when he participated in a three-day camp and was offered during the camp.

So, lots of games coming for Parks this fall. Expect him to go to games at each of the five schools I mentioned as in the best position: UC, Kentucky, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Stranger things have happened, but Parks has had a good summer, gotten some big offers and it looks like those offers are the ones in the best position.

Full story coming

Just to build on the previous INsider, the full story on Curtis, who's visiting UC tomorrow:
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Guys, I text messaged last night with the Bearcats' latest offer, Christ The King (NY) offensive tackle Adam Elgammal. I hate texting, but he said his phone was broken and would only allow him to text. He could answer my call, but said he couldn't hear anything I said.

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Anyway, UC is only Elgammal's third offer, behind Temple and Monmouth. I get the sense that he likes those two, but is waiting for something more. Those are backups.

Last week, he went to UC on Thursday, then Kentucky and Louisville on Friday. Elgammal told me he liked what he saw at UC. He liked the field, the weight room and the academic center. Assistant coach Gino Guidugli has been the primary recruiter here and Elgammal told me he likes the vibe he gets from Guidugli.

Elgammal spent the most time at Louisville, because he camped there. It sounds like he liked the visit. He only went on a quick tour with the Wildcats.

Still relatively early here. Elgammal said he wants to decide after the season. Smart, since he's hoping schools needing OL will reach out if he has a good year. You can get to be in demand if there aren't many OL still available and a few teams need one. I think Elgammal has the potential to be that guy, so we'll see. Right now, the Bearcats are in a good spot, since he's visited and they've offered. But we'll have to wait and see how serious they are about him.

Full story coming.

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Guys, I spoke a little earlier with Xenia (OH) Rivals150 guard Samari Curtis. He's a former Xavier commit and has been firm on Cincinnati's radar for a while now.

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Curtis just finished up his AAU season this past weekend at the nationals in Las Vegas. His C2K Elite team went 0-3 and as bounced early, but Curtis remains a big target.

Right now, Curtis reports five offers, from UC, Xavier, Akron, Toledo and Kent State. He might work out for others in August, so that could change. But he's also battling a sprained ankle that he's had for a few weeks.

Curtis said he'll be at UC on Wednesday, which is big. Because of the ankle injury, he might not be working out much, but getting him on campus is big. Assistant coach Antwon Jackson has been the point man here and they have a good relationship. Coach Mick Cronin also has a good bond. Curtis last visited UC in June, so it hasn't been long. But this visit will be one to keep an eye on. If the Bearcats want him, it sounds like he's leaning heavily towards them.

The Musketeers are still in play. Curtis said he's still getting to know new coach Travis Steele, but their relationship has grown. Yet to be seen if Xavier will go all in on Curtis or not, though.

Past UC on Wednesday, Curtis said he has no other visits planned. No timetable, but it sounds like Curtis is waiting to see how it goes with the Bearcats this week. If it doesn't go well, he could stretch out his recruitment considerably.

So we'll stay tuned. Full story coming.

Guys, you already saw my previous INsider, but here's the full story. Allen is set to visit Penn State this weekend:
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Cincinnati has an early offer out to Fairfield, Ohio 2020 RB Jutahn McClain, and he says in the article linked below they are the school he knows best out of his four early offers:

https://n.rivals.com/news/four-early-offers-for-ohio-2020-rb-jutahn-mcclain

From our friend Josh Helmholdt:

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Good stuff from our friend Corey Evans, who has the latest on a prospect the Bearcats are ramping up efforts on:
https://cincinnati.rivals.com/news/uaa-friday-caleb-mills-emerges-as-a-high-major-prospect

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Guys, I got a chance to catch up just a few minutes ago with one of the Bearcats' top remaining targets in 2019, Dunbar (OH) three-star OL Jonathan Allen. Keep in mind, this guy is just entering his second year of playing football. That rawness is something I know is appealing to the UC staff and plenty of others.

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Allen said he doesn't have a top list, but it's easy to get a sense of what schools are best in contention. And those are UC, Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana. Maryland is the only other one he really mentioned, and it was literally just a mention.

The only visit Allen took recently was to Ohio State last month. But he has one official set, July 29 to Penn State. He said he's trying to set officials right now either end of this month or early August to UC and Indiana. And a decision will likely come before his senior season starts, so mid-August.

Allen didn't have a ton to say about the Bearcats, but obviously, he's interested enough to visit. He talks to former teammate Tavion Thomas a lot, who has talked up UC. Allen also talks to DC Marcus Freeman pretty regularly. It'll be interesting to see how the UC visit goes, since it'll be about all he has to base his decision on. He does want to stay close to home, so that helps the Bearcats, but Ohio State isnt far away either.

Full story coming

Great stuff from our friend Josh Helmholdt, who wrapped up a week in the area:
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Cincinnati Princeton 2020 four-star LB Jaheim Thomas told me yesterday when I stopped by his school that there are several aspects of potentially playing for the hometown program that appeal to him. Those comments lead off the article below:

https://n.rivals.com/news/jaheim-thomas-building-relationships-with-in-state-schools

Was in Dayton today to check out Archbishop Alter, where I chatted with high three-star RB John Bivens. He talks about a recent visit to Cincinnati, and his plans for an official visit with the Bearcats, in the article below:

https://n.rivals.com/news/ohio-rb-john-bivens-know-of-two-official-visits

UC football is really high on this kid. Basketball would give him a shot to walk on, but football loves him. Here's the latest, following an INsider I had a few weeks ago:
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Good news for the former Bearcats star. From UC:

“Former University of Cincinnati forward Gary Clark has signed a two-way contract with the NBA’s Houston Rockets, the organization announced Thursday.

Clark becomes the second member of UC’s 2017-18 squad to sign with an NBA team this offseason. Former junior swingman Jacob Evans III was selected by Golden State as the 28th overall pick of the draft on June 21 and signed with the Warriors on July 2.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have up to two players under two-way contracts at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular-season roster. Clark will spend time with Houston’s NBA G League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, as well as the main club.

A native of Clayton, North Carolina, Clark recorded a standout senior campaign with the Bearcats in 2017-18, collecting numerous American Athletic Conference awards while helping UC win the league’s regular-season and tournament championships and tie the school record for wins (31). He was named the AAC’s player of the year, defensive player of the year (for the second time in his career) and the conference tournament most valuable player. He was the league’s only unanimous first team selection and also earned the league’s sportsmanship award.

Clark averaged 12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 28.5 minutes in 2017-18 while ranking among the league leaders in nine categories: rebounds (first at 8.7), double-doubles (first with 14), defensive rebounds (first at 5.7), offensive rebounds (second at 3.0), blocks (seventh at 1.2), steals (seventh at 1.4), field goal percentage (seventh at .526), free throw percentage (13th at .741) and points (17th at 12.9). He ended the season ranked third in the nation with 1,132 career rebounds.”

Guys, just wanted to pass on this look at Immanuel Hickman, who committed to UC last month. Great kid who should be a huge get for the Bearcats:
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Is still craving a normal life after a major surgery.
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Briggs was, and still is, a top target for Cincinnati in the class of 2019.
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Guys, I mentioned Beau in an INsider a few weeks ago. But here's the full story:
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10 days after his OV

https://cincinnati.rivals.com/news/bearcats-land-illinois-de

Big night for Jacob Evans as he was taken by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA Draft:
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