TicketsCINCINNATI – Seven practices into Cincinnati football's 2023 spring the battle for the Bearcats' next starting quarterback is heating up.
First-year head coach Scott Satterfield likes the competition he has seen so far from his five scholarship quarterbacks at around the halfway point of the spring season with the Spring Game – presented by Skyline Chili – still a few weeks away on April 15.
"We are really throwing a lot of things at those quarterbacks," said Satterfield – a former signal-caller at Appalachian State. "That's one position that we've really kind of rotated with the ones, the twos, all of them have gotten reps with the ones as well as the twos. There haven't been any kind of particular order that those guys have been going in. Ben (Bryant) actually got the most work that he's gotten all spring today. There were some good things, particularly the finish drill. He had a nice ball down the sideline there, Ben (Bryant) was able to throw at Pro Day and did a great job in that as well, so he's getting better and better. We finally started to clear him up a little bit so he can get out here and get some reps so that's been good to see. Emory (Jones) has had a really good six or seven days I think as well."
Ben Bryant and Emory Jones are both heading into their sixth seasons of college football. Each bring multiple years of starting experience.
Bryant started his career as the backup to Desmond Ridder at UC before transferring so he could start Eastern Michigan before returning to Cincinnati last fall and passing for 2,732 yards and 21 touchdowns over 11 games before a foot injury ended his season.
He said he almost certainly would've entered the NFL Draft had he not been injured. Instead, he returns to UC looking to learn a new offense under a new staff. He is healing well from the foot injury, turning heads as the former Bearcats' quarterback the annual NFL Pro Day last week, and getting the most reps he has all spring on Wednesday.
Jones was the starter at Florida in 2021 and Arizona State in 2022. Unlike Bryant, he is a true dual-threat quarterback, having passed for more than 2,500 yards and rushing for more than 700 yards while leading the Gators to a bowl two years ago.
His friendship with former Louisville star quarterback Malik Cunningham drew Jones to Satterfield, quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas and the Bearcats. After playing in Gainesville, Fla., and Tempe, Ariz., he said the winter, particularly the snow, took some getting used to.
The pair is competing with redshirt junior Evan Prater, who started the final two games of the 2022 season and is a dual threat signal caller, and redshirt sophomore Brady Lichtenberg, who got spot duty a year ago.
Satterfield said that quarterback is like most positions right now – nobody has really solidified themselves as starters. However, he did note that DB/LB Deshawn Pace and defensive linemen Jowon Briggs and Dontay Corleone have likely separated themselves on a defense that is ahead of the offense early on.
"There's certain guys in certain positions have moved forward with that, and kind of solidified themselves as starters, but he still we still haven't named any guys yet," Satterfield said. "We're letting these guys compete…There are certain guys that we know are going to be our guys and are having some great camps. I think (Deshawn) Pace has had a great seven practices. He's really asserted himself as a leader on defense. I think that's good to see and (Dontay) Corleone and (Jowon) Briggs have solidified up front, two grown men, and they are hard to move. They're doing some great things, so I think that's been good to see. I think there's a few other positions particularly. I think the defense has been ahead of the offense these seven practices for sure. They've done a really nice job of learning the defense quickly and being able to make some plays. So that's been good to see on that side."
Quick Quotes from Practice 7
Emory Jones
On what brought him to Cincinnati
"Opportunity, honestly. Coach Satterfield and Coach Thomas told me as I got in the portal that they were taking the job here (from Louisville), and I thought it was a great opportunity and came for a visit. I love the people they brought over, as well as this building and community. To have a really good home feeling and staff was what I was looking for.
"Honestly, I just know Cincinnati as a winning program. That's all I wanted to be in. I was coming out of a bad situation last year and just wanted to get back into a winning program, and this was the place."
On his relationship and competition with Ben Bryant
"It's great to have another sixth-year guy who I can relate with really well. He transferred twice too. Just having a guy who has been through the same thing, he's great and we feed off each other. We're here to compete."
Ben Bryant
On returning from his injury
"It was tough but I just have such a good support system, the trainers here, my parents, the coaches and they made it seamless… I thought for sure I'd be out all spring. I was working with Josh (Whyle), but we went to a really good doctor. The trainers have done such a good job with me and I'm feeling really good now.
On Emory Jones
"Emory (Jones) is a great guy, great addition to our quarterback room and creates more competition. Every year we're competing for the job and it's anyone's job no matter who started last year. So, I'm excited to compete with Emery (Jones), learn from him, and he was just a great addition to our (quarterback) room."
On the new receivers
"Definitely got with those guys and we threw a lot before spring ball. I was in a boot throwing at them, so it's fun, and we hang out outside of football. So, it's been a nice process learning those guys."
Brady Lichtenberg
On how his offseason has gone
"It's been like freshman year all over again with learning a new offense and getting to know new guys with transfers and stuff, but it's been good. Coach Niko (Palazeti, strength) has been awesome in the weight room, as well as Coach (Pete) Thomas and (Scott) Satterfield have gotten to know us and establish the offense. You're not a freshman again, but it kind of is since it's a new offense and the first couple of spring practices have been faster than usual."
On if he thought about entering the transfer portal
"I didn't. Everyone wants to compete. I want to compete and be here, and I love Cincinnati. My first year and a half here has been awesome with all good experiences. College football is an everchanging world, and coaching changes will happen. I think it's important to stay grounded, and it's a crowded quarterback room but we all want what's best for the team and to compete every day."
INTERVIEWS - MARCH 29, 2023
First-year head coach Scott Satterfield likes the competition he has seen so far from his five scholarship quarterbacks at around the halfway point of the spring season with the Spring Game – presented by Skyline Chili – still a few weeks away on April 15.
"We are really throwing a lot of things at those quarterbacks," said Satterfield – a former signal-caller at Appalachian State. "That's one position that we've really kind of rotated with the ones, the twos, all of them have gotten reps with the ones as well as the twos. There haven't been any kind of particular order that those guys have been going in. Ben (Bryant) actually got the most work that he's gotten all spring today. There were some good things, particularly the finish drill. He had a nice ball down the sideline there, Ben (Bryant) was able to throw at Pro Day and did a great job in that as well, so he's getting better and better. We finally started to clear him up a little bit so he can get out here and get some reps so that's been good to see. Emory (Jones) has had a really good six or seven days I think as well."
Ben Bryant and Emory Jones are both heading into their sixth seasons of college football. Each bring multiple years of starting experience.
Bryant started his career as the backup to Desmond Ridder at UC before transferring so he could start Eastern Michigan before returning to Cincinnati last fall and passing for 2,732 yards and 21 touchdowns over 11 games before a foot injury ended his season.
He said he almost certainly would've entered the NFL Draft had he not been injured. Instead, he returns to UC looking to learn a new offense under a new staff. He is healing well from the foot injury, turning heads as the former Bearcats' quarterback the annual NFL Pro Day last week, and getting the most reps he has all spring on Wednesday.
Jones was the starter at Florida in 2021 and Arizona State in 2022. Unlike Bryant, he is a true dual-threat quarterback, having passed for more than 2,500 yards and rushing for more than 700 yards while leading the Gators to a bowl two years ago.
His friendship with former Louisville star quarterback Malik Cunningham drew Jones to Satterfield, quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas and the Bearcats. After playing in Gainesville, Fla., and Tempe, Ariz., he said the winter, particularly the snow, took some getting used to.
The pair is competing with redshirt junior Evan Prater, who started the final two games of the 2022 season and is a dual threat signal caller, and redshirt sophomore Brady Lichtenberg, who got spot duty a year ago.
Satterfield said that quarterback is like most positions right now – nobody has really solidified themselves as starters. However, he did note that DB/LB Deshawn Pace and defensive linemen Jowon Briggs and Dontay Corleone have likely separated themselves on a defense that is ahead of the offense early on.
"There's certain guys in certain positions have moved forward with that, and kind of solidified themselves as starters, but he still we still haven't named any guys yet," Satterfield said. "We're letting these guys compete…There are certain guys that we know are going to be our guys and are having some great camps. I think (Deshawn) Pace has had a great seven practices. He's really asserted himself as a leader on defense. I think that's good to see and (Dontay) Corleone and (Jowon) Briggs have solidified up front, two grown men, and they are hard to move. They're doing some great things, so I think that's been good to see. I think there's a few other positions particularly. I think the defense has been ahead of the offense these seven practices for sure. They've done a really nice job of learning the defense quickly and being able to make some plays. So that's been good to see on that side."
Quick Quotes from Practice 7
Emory Jones
On what brought him to Cincinnati
"Opportunity, honestly. Coach Satterfield and Coach Thomas told me as I got in the portal that they were taking the job here (from Louisville), and I thought it was a great opportunity and came for a visit. I love the people they brought over, as well as this building and community. To have a really good home feeling and staff was what I was looking for.
"Honestly, I just know Cincinnati as a winning program. That's all I wanted to be in. I was coming out of a bad situation last year and just wanted to get back into a winning program, and this was the place."
On his relationship and competition with Ben Bryant
"It's great to have another sixth-year guy who I can relate with really well. He transferred twice too. Just having a guy who has been through the same thing, he's great and we feed off each other. We're here to compete."
Ben Bryant
On returning from his injury
"It was tough but I just have such a good support system, the trainers here, my parents, the coaches and they made it seamless… I thought for sure I'd be out all spring. I was working with Josh (Whyle), but we went to a really good doctor. The trainers have done such a good job with me and I'm feeling really good now.
On Emory Jones
"Emory (Jones) is a great guy, great addition to our quarterback room and creates more competition. Every year we're competing for the job and it's anyone's job no matter who started last year. So, I'm excited to compete with Emery (Jones), learn from him, and he was just a great addition to our (quarterback) room."
On the new receivers
"Definitely got with those guys and we threw a lot before spring ball. I was in a boot throwing at them, so it's fun, and we hang out outside of football. So, it's been a nice process learning those guys."
Brady Lichtenberg
On how his offseason has gone
"It's been like freshman year all over again with learning a new offense and getting to know new guys with transfers and stuff, but it's been good. Coach Niko (Palazeti, strength) has been awesome in the weight room, as well as Coach (Pete) Thomas and (Scott) Satterfield have gotten to know us and establish the offense. You're not a freshman again, but it kind of is since it's a new offense and the first couple of spring practices have been faster than usual."
On if he thought about entering the transfer portal
"I didn't. Everyone wants to compete. I want to compete and be here, and I love Cincinnati. My first year and a half here has been awesome with all good experiences. College football is an everchanging world, and coaching changes will happen. I think it's important to stay grounded, and it's a crowded quarterback room but we all want what's best for the team and to compete every day."
INTERVIEWS - MARCH 29, 2023