TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati football team held its 11th spring practice on Friday afternoon as it heads into the final week of preparation prior to next Saturday's UC Football Spring Game presented by Skyline Chili.
First-year head coach Scott Satterfield praised the experience of key defensive players, especially in the trenches, when asked about the offensive progression this spring.
"The fact that our offense has to compete against those guys on the defensive line day in and day out only makes us better," said Satterfield. "At times we may not look as good offensively because what those guys – Dontay Corleone, Jowon Briggs, Malik Vann – are doing, but it is great. It is great competition all around."
Corleone, a Walker Camp Preseason All-American First Team selection at defensive tackle, echoed the comments and talked about his development under the new defensive staff.
"I feel like the foundation this new staff has put in place this spring will help us succeed," Corleone said. "The scheme is aggressive at all times and we want to get after the quarterback."
Corleone, a Cincinnati native, appeared in 11 games and totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 2022 en route to being rated PFF's Top Defensive Player and collecting Third Team All-America accolades from the Associated Press and PFF.
He also noted how learning from different leaders in the group over his first two seasons has helped his transition into more of a leadership role as now one of the Bearcats' more experienced players on the defensive line.
"I want to step up and be a leader this year with a lot of new faces coming in. A lot of people forget that I am a young guy, but players like Jowon Briggs and Malik Vann from last year helped prepare me to take on a more of a leadership role."
In addition to the line, Satterfield discussed the versatility of several other defensive pieces, including Arizona State transfer defensive back D.J. Taylor and returning linebacker/defensive back Deshawn Pace, that he has noticed from new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown's installment this spring.
"With D.J. Taylor, you will certainly get speed. I think he has five or six picks this spring," noted Satterfield. "We want our guys to be able to play multiple positions, particularly in the back end. Deshawn Pace is another one that has played the star (nickel) position this spring. We want to be able to do multiple things at a lot of different positions."
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First-year head coach Scott Satterfield praised the experience of key defensive players, especially in the trenches, when asked about the offensive progression this spring.
"The fact that our offense has to compete against those guys on the defensive line day in and day out only makes us better," said Satterfield. "At times we may not look as good offensively because what those guys – Dontay Corleone, Jowon Briggs, Malik Vann – are doing, but it is great. It is great competition all around."
Corleone, a Walker Camp Preseason All-American First Team selection at defensive tackle, echoed the comments and talked about his development under the new defensive staff.
"I feel like the foundation this new staff has put in place this spring will help us succeed," Corleone said. "The scheme is aggressive at all times and we want to get after the quarterback."
Corleone, a Cincinnati native, appeared in 11 games and totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 2022 en route to being rated PFF's Top Defensive Player and collecting Third Team All-America accolades from the Associated Press and PFF.
He also noted how learning from different leaders in the group over his first two seasons has helped his transition into more of a leadership role as now one of the Bearcats' more experienced players on the defensive line.
"I want to step up and be a leader this year with a lot of new faces coming in. A lot of people forget that I am a young guy, but players like Jowon Briggs and Malik Vann from last year helped prepare me to take on a more of a leadership role."
In addition to the line, Satterfield discussed the versatility of several other defensive pieces, including Arizona State transfer defensive back D.J. Taylor and returning linebacker/defensive back Deshawn Pace, that he has noticed from new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown's installment this spring.
"With D.J. Taylor, you will certainly get speed. I think he has five or six picks this spring," noted Satterfield. "We want our guys to be able to play multiple positions, particularly in the back end. Deshawn Pace is another one that has played the star (nickel) position this spring. We want to be able to do multiple things at a lot of different positions."
-GoBEARCATS.com-