CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati football wide receiver Blue Smith (Huber Hts., Ohio/Wayne/Ohio State) was granted an immediate-eligibility waiver by the NCAA Wednesday.
Smith, a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining, came to UC in the late spring of 2019 after spending one year at Ohio State where he sat out as a first-year player.
He was the nation's No. 39 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, according to Rivals and a member of the ESPN 300. Smith was a First-Team All-Ohio selection as a senior and rated as a four-star receiver, the No. 3 player in Ohio (Rivals) and the No. 126 player overall nationally by 247Sports. The talented two-sport athlete helped lead Wayne to the Division I state title game as a sophomore in 2015. Smith caught 54 passes for 1,311 yards and 17 touchdowns that.
UC, picked second in the AAC preseason media poll, finished 2018 with 11 or more wins for the third time in program history (2008, 2009) and knocked off Virginia Tech in the 2018 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman. Entering 2019, UC is set to return more than 85% of its roster, over 5,000 yards of total offense, 10 of its Top-15 tacklers and 14 starters from the 2018 squad.
The Bearcats are back on the field Wednesday at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center in West Harrison, Indiana. The 2019 season opens in primetime on ESPN against UCLA on Thursday, Aug. 29 in Nippert Stadium. Anyone who has yet to renew their tickets for this season and new season ticket holders should contact the athletics ticket office at 1-877-CATS-TIX or online at GoBEARCATS.com/tickets.
HONORING THE 2009 BEARCATS
The Bearcats will honor the 10th Anniversary of the 2009 perfect regular season throughout the campaign with all season ticket holders set to receive an exclusive dual bobblehead commemorating one of the greatest plays in UC history, the 29-yard TD strike from Tony Pike to Armon Binns in UC's come-from-behind win over Pitt on Dec. 5, 2009.
All 2019 UC football season-ticket holders will receive the dual bobblehead, one per ticket purchased. The only way to guarantee receiving one of the limited-edition items is to purchase 2019 season tickets. The season-ticket book, also exclusive to season-ticket holders, features a dual 2009-2019 season-ticket design showcasing Bearcats stars of past and present.
Click HERE for more information.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season-ticket prices start at $99 in the Aquafina Family Section for an exciting six-game home schedule in Nippert Stadium which includes primetime matchups under the lights against UCLA and two-time defending American Athletic Conference Champion UCF, along with the annual Battle for the Victory Bell against Miami (OH), the 2009 team recognition against Tulsa, a homecoming matchup against UConn and senior day against Temple.
The Primetime Plan (UCLA & UCF tickets) starts at $65 a seat, the Football Flex Pack (five ticket vouchers) is $155 and group tickets for outings of 20 or more start at $24.
Student season tickets are nearly sold out, but limited quantities are still available for $70. Click HERE for more information.
Check out the newly launched football tickets hub by clicking HERE.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati football, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati football (@GoBearcatsFB) and Coach Fickell (@CoachFick) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
Smith, a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining, came to UC in the late spring of 2019 after spending one year at Ohio State where he sat out as a first-year player.
He was the nation's No. 39 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, according to Rivals and a member of the ESPN 300. Smith was a First-Team All-Ohio selection as a senior and rated as a four-star receiver, the No. 3 player in Ohio (Rivals) and the No. 126 player overall nationally by 247Sports. The talented two-sport athlete helped lead Wayne to the Division I state title game as a sophomore in 2015. Smith caught 54 passes for 1,311 yards and 17 touchdowns that.
UC, picked second in the AAC preseason media poll, finished 2018 with 11 or more wins for the third time in program history (2008, 2009) and knocked off Virginia Tech in the 2018 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman. Entering 2019, UC is set to return more than 85% of its roster, over 5,000 yards of total offense, 10 of its Top-15 tacklers and 14 starters from the 2018 squad.
The Bearcats are back on the field Wednesday at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center in West Harrison, Indiana. The 2019 season opens in primetime on ESPN against UCLA on Thursday, Aug. 29 in Nippert Stadium. Anyone who has yet to renew their tickets for this season and new season ticket holders should contact the athletics ticket office at 1-877-CATS-TIX or online at GoBEARCATS.com/tickets.
HONORING THE 2009 BEARCATS
The Bearcats will honor the 10th Anniversary of the 2009 perfect regular season throughout the campaign with all season ticket holders set to receive an exclusive dual bobblehead commemorating one of the greatest plays in UC history, the 29-yard TD strike from Tony Pike to Armon Binns in UC's come-from-behind win over Pitt on Dec. 5, 2009.
All 2019 UC football season-ticket holders will receive the dual bobblehead, one per ticket purchased. The only way to guarantee receiving one of the limited-edition items is to purchase 2019 season tickets. The season-ticket book, also exclusive to season-ticket holders, features a dual 2009-2019 season-ticket design showcasing Bearcats stars of past and present.
Click HERE for more information.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season-ticket prices start at $99 in the Aquafina Family Section for an exciting six-game home schedule in Nippert Stadium which includes primetime matchups under the lights against UCLA and two-time defending American Athletic Conference Champion UCF, along with the annual Battle for the Victory Bell against Miami (OH), the 2009 team recognition against Tulsa, a homecoming matchup against UConn and senior day against Temple.
The Primetime Plan (UCLA & UCF tickets) starts at $65 a seat, the Football Flex Pack (five ticket vouchers) is $155 and group tickets for outings of 20 or more start at $24.
Student season tickets are nearly sold out, but limited quantities are still available for $70. Click HERE for more information.
Check out the newly launched football tickets hub by clicking HERE.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati football, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati football (@GoBearcatsFB) and Coach Fickell (@CoachFick) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.