TicketsCINCINNATI – Head Coach Luke Fickell's cut-off sweatshirt said it all on the first day of Cincinnati football fall camp: "Iron Sharpens Iron."
Returning 48 letterwinners and 12 starters from the greatest team in school history, Fickell and the Bearcats returned to practice in shorts and helmets for Day 1 of fall camp on Thursday morning at Sheakley Athletics Center looking for competition and consistency.
Fickell and the team made it clear: this is not a rebuild. The Bearcats are reloading.
"I think that it was very intentional to try to really push them," Fickell said. "It is unique that we have a little more time for camp, not more practice days, but more time. We are practicing today and taking tomorrow off, trying to get into that NFL model. It's a little bit more where you have more time in between practices. Really tried to go out there and push them today mentally, physically, even though we were just in helmets. I think a lot of guys were challenged. I hope they understand the pace and the tempo – whether they are six-year guys like Will Huber or some of these new guys walking in the door."
The Bearcats will leave for Higher Ground training camp on Thursday and hold their first practice at the West Harrison, Ind., site on Friday morning. UC will spend more than two weeks at the off-site facility to practice and bond as a team ahead of the 2022 season.
"What you can't sell short out there is the ability to grow together," Fickell said. "That's what's so unique. Today, these guys will do these things, like a lift, film and lunch, and then they will go back to their own place and do their own thing like getting on their phones and playing video games. When we go to Higher Ground, we sit on the rocking chairs, play cards and do a lot of things together. It's something outside of football and gives us an edge."
// REPLACING RIDDER
Cincinnati has to replace nine NFL draft picks and plenty of leaders, including quarterback Desmond Ridder, the two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the third-winningest quarterback in college football history (44 wins).
The frontrunners to replace Ridder are redshirt sophomore Evan Prater, the backup last year, and senior Ben Bryant, who was the backup in 2019 and 2020 before transferring in 2021 to Eastern Michigan where he started and threw for more than 3,000 yards.
Fickell said the two will battle throughout all of camp and he does not have a timetable for when he will announce the starter.
"It might be Friday night before the first game before we know," Fickell said. "I do like to have some things solidified the first week and a half. We probably won't tell too much, but I think it's important to the progress in finding out who we are. If we figure some things out, we can do that. If it's such a battle that we can't tell till the last minute, it's a good thing, but it also comes out to how we finish the last two weeks of camp."
// WRIGHT ON THE MOVE
Junior Ethan Wright moved to defensive back for fall camp after serving as a backup at running back the last two seasons. He is expected to be in the mix at safety.
Wright, from Akron, Ohio, rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in 2021. He had a 58-yard rushing score against Temple.
He starred on both offense and defense at Manchester High School, earning Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2019 when he tallied 146 tackles and rushed for 2,385 yards.
"I think in the long run it is going to be the best for him," Fickell said of the position change. "Number one and the most important thing is what is best for the team and there is no greater team guy than Ethan Wright. In the offseason, you have to look at the big picture and say, 'Okay, where's this guy's greatest future going to be?' I think for him it can be on the defensive side of the ball. He does remind me of a guy like (second round NFL Draft pick) Bryan Cook. He hasn't been over there a bunch, but his versatility gives him a lot of opportunities. I think in the long run it's the best position for him."
// CHIP ON SHOULDER
Cincinnati has finished undefeated in the regular season the last two years before winning the AAC Championship, but has also lost the last two bowl games to Alabama and Georgia – the last two national championships.
UC gets a crack at another SEC foe to open the season on Sept. 3 when it faces Arkansas at 3:30 p.m. ET in Fayetteville, Ark.
Fickell said the ending to the past two seasons has give the team a bit of a "chip on your shoulder" and made it easy to push hard in the offseason.
"The last two years went really well, and even the last four too," Fickell said. "When you lose that last game, though, there's that little chip on your shoulder and a pit in your stomach that's different from three years ago when you get a bowl win. Georgia and Alabama gave us that off attention in the offseason about not overtalking what you've done, because it was a disappointing end."
// WHYLE LOOKS TO STEP UP
One of the players looking to step up on the field and in the locker room as a leader this fall is redshirt senior tight end Josh Whyle. Despite grabbing 12 touchdowns the last two years, Whyle returned for a final season with the Bearcats. The Cincinnati native said he will look to fill the leadership void left by his close friend Ridder.
"The first thing that I think about with Desmond (Ridder) leaving is that someone has to step up to be a leader on the offense and why can't it be me," Whyle said. "That is where my head is at. I am trying to be that leader that everyone can look to."
// THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year Luke Fickell and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati's 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation's Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
// DAY ONE READY CAMPAIGN
Cincinnati will officially join the Big 12 on July 1, 2023. The Bearcats are entering into a new era as a Power Five school, and in joining the Big 12, every competitive advantage matters for UC's 450-plus student-athletes.
As a significant part of the university's Next, Now Campaign, UC Athletics' Day One Ready Campaign is a $100 million fundraising initiative that's focused on achieving Next Level Success in the new conference. With fans' support for signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness, the Bearcats won't just be prepared to compete on their first official day in the Big 12.
They'll be ready to bring championships home to Cincinnati.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
// ABOUT CINCINNATI ATHLETICS
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 500 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 117 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first American Athletic Conference program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
UC student-athletes collectively posted a 3.369 overall GPA in the spring of 2021 with 77 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll, while six student-athletes collected CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our University and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field. For more information visit gobearcats.com.
Returning 48 letterwinners and 12 starters from the greatest team in school history, Fickell and the Bearcats returned to practice in shorts and helmets for Day 1 of fall camp on Thursday morning at Sheakley Athletics Center looking for competition and consistency.
Fickell and the team made it clear: this is not a rebuild. The Bearcats are reloading.
"I think that it was very intentional to try to really push them," Fickell said. "It is unique that we have a little more time for camp, not more practice days, but more time. We are practicing today and taking tomorrow off, trying to get into that NFL model. It's a little bit more where you have more time in between practices. Really tried to go out there and push them today mentally, physically, even though we were just in helmets. I think a lot of guys were challenged. I hope they understand the pace and the tempo – whether they are six-year guys like Will Huber or some of these new guys walking in the door."
The Bearcats will leave for Higher Ground training camp on Thursday and hold their first practice at the West Harrison, Ind., site on Friday morning. UC will spend more than two weeks at the off-site facility to practice and bond as a team ahead of the 2022 season.
"What you can't sell short out there is the ability to grow together," Fickell said. "That's what's so unique. Today, these guys will do these things, like a lift, film and lunch, and then they will go back to their own place and do their own thing like getting on their phones and playing video games. When we go to Higher Ground, we sit on the rocking chairs, play cards and do a lot of things together. It's something outside of football and gives us an edge."
// REPLACING RIDDER
Cincinnati has to replace nine NFL draft picks and plenty of leaders, including quarterback Desmond Ridder, the two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the third-winningest quarterback in college football history (44 wins).
The frontrunners to replace Ridder are redshirt sophomore Evan Prater, the backup last year, and senior Ben Bryant, who was the backup in 2019 and 2020 before transferring in 2021 to Eastern Michigan where he started and threw for more than 3,000 yards.
Fickell said the two will battle throughout all of camp and he does not have a timetable for when he will announce the starter.
"It might be Friday night before the first game before we know," Fickell said. "I do like to have some things solidified the first week and a half. We probably won't tell too much, but I think it's important to the progress in finding out who we are. If we figure some things out, we can do that. If it's such a battle that we can't tell till the last minute, it's a good thing, but it also comes out to how we finish the last two weeks of camp."
// WRIGHT ON THE MOVE
Junior Ethan Wright moved to defensive back for fall camp after serving as a backup at running back the last two seasons. He is expected to be in the mix at safety.
Wright, from Akron, Ohio, rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in 2021. He had a 58-yard rushing score against Temple.
He starred on both offense and defense at Manchester High School, earning Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2019 when he tallied 146 tackles and rushed for 2,385 yards.
"I think in the long run it is going to be the best for him," Fickell said of the position change. "Number one and the most important thing is what is best for the team and there is no greater team guy than Ethan Wright. In the offseason, you have to look at the big picture and say, 'Okay, where's this guy's greatest future going to be?' I think for him it can be on the defensive side of the ball. He does remind me of a guy like (second round NFL Draft pick) Bryan Cook. He hasn't been over there a bunch, but his versatility gives him a lot of opportunities. I think in the long run it's the best position for him."
// CHIP ON SHOULDER
Cincinnati has finished undefeated in the regular season the last two years before winning the AAC Championship, but has also lost the last two bowl games to Alabama and Georgia – the last two national championships.
UC gets a crack at another SEC foe to open the season on Sept. 3 when it faces Arkansas at 3:30 p.m. ET in Fayetteville, Ark.
Fickell said the ending to the past two seasons has give the team a bit of a "chip on your shoulder" and made it easy to push hard in the offseason.
"The last two years went really well, and even the last four too," Fickell said. "When you lose that last game, though, there's that little chip on your shoulder and a pit in your stomach that's different from three years ago when you get a bowl win. Georgia and Alabama gave us that off attention in the offseason about not overtalking what you've done, because it was a disappointing end."
// WHYLE LOOKS TO STEP UP
One of the players looking to step up on the field and in the locker room as a leader this fall is redshirt senior tight end Josh Whyle. Despite grabbing 12 touchdowns the last two years, Whyle returned for a final season with the Bearcats. The Cincinnati native said he will look to fill the leadership void left by his close friend Ridder.
"The first thing that I think about with Desmond (Ridder) leaving is that someone has to step up to be a leader on the offense and why can't it be me," Whyle said. "That is where my head is at. I am trying to be that leader that everyone can look to."
// THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year Luke Fickell and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati's 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation's Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
// DAY ONE READY CAMPAIGN
Cincinnati will officially join the Big 12 on July 1, 2023. The Bearcats are entering into a new era as a Power Five school, and in joining the Big 12, every competitive advantage matters for UC's 450-plus student-athletes.
As a significant part of the university's Next, Now Campaign, UC Athletics' Day One Ready Campaign is a $100 million fundraising initiative that's focused on achieving Next Level Success in the new conference. With fans' support for signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness, the Bearcats won't just be prepared to compete on their first official day in the Big 12.
They'll be ready to bring championships home to Cincinnati.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
// ABOUT CINCINNATI ATHLETICS
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 500 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 117 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first American Athletic Conference program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
UC student-athletes collectively posted a 3.369 overall GPA in the spring of 2021 with 77 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll, while six student-athletes collected CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our University and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field. For more information visit gobearcats.com.