TicketsCINCINNATI, Ohio – University of Cincinnati football's redshirt senior nose tackle Dontay Corleone announced on Monday he will return to the Bearcats for a fifth season in 2025.
The Colerain High School product will earn his bachelor's degree from UC later this week.
He was a projected NFL Draft selection for the second year in a row.
"I'm excited to return to the University of Cincinnati for one final season in 2025," Corleone said. "It's my goal to elevate this program back to where it was when I arrived here in 2021. This past year I faced many challenges, and it was one of the toughest of my life. I came through stronger, but I know I can get even better.
"I'm thankful to Aaron Himmler, our medical team and our strength and conditioning staff, especially Coach Niko (Palazeti) and Coach Garcia, for getting me back on the field. With my mom and my family by my side and with the help of Coach Satterfield, Coach Veidt and Coach Stewart, I know the sky is the limit. I'm excited for one last ride with my brothers for my city!"
Corleone was named all-conference for the third straight season last week, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. He totaled 26 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks and overcame a difficult offseason that saw him sidelined with blood clots for three months. He was cleared to return to the playing field on Sept. 3 and made his season debut just days later vs. Pitt.
Corleone was a second-team selection last season and a first-team All-AAC performer in 2022. "The Godfather" burst onto the college football scene as a redshirt freshman that fall, collecting Associated Press All-America Third Team and consensus Freshman All-America honors. He was the nation's highest-rated defensive player according to PFF in 2022.
"We're thrilled to have Dontay back for next season," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "Nobody exemplifies Cincinnati Football more than him. He has worked so hard to become the player he is, and he has battled through so much adversity. Getting a player of his caliber with leadership qualities back for next season is a huge boost for our defense."
The Colerain High School product will earn his bachelor's degree from UC later this week.
He was a projected NFL Draft selection for the second year in a row.
"I'm excited to return to the University of Cincinnati for one final season in 2025," Corleone said. "It's my goal to elevate this program back to where it was when I arrived here in 2021. This past year I faced many challenges, and it was one of the toughest of my life. I came through stronger, but I know I can get even better.
"I'm thankful to Aaron Himmler, our medical team and our strength and conditioning staff, especially Coach Niko (Palazeti) and Coach Garcia, for getting me back on the field. With my mom and my family by my side and with the help of Coach Satterfield, Coach Veidt and Coach Stewart, I know the sky is the limit. I'm excited for one last ride with my brothers for my city!"
Corleone was named all-conference for the third straight season last week, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. He totaled 26 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks and overcame a difficult offseason that saw him sidelined with blood clots for three months. He was cleared to return to the playing field on Sept. 3 and made his season debut just days later vs. Pitt.
Corleone was a second-team selection last season and a first-team All-AAC performer in 2022. "The Godfather" burst onto the college football scene as a redshirt freshman that fall, collecting Associated Press All-America Third Team and consensus Freshman All-America honors. He was the nation's highest-rated defensive player according to PFF in 2022.
"We're thrilled to have Dontay back for next season," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "Nobody exemplifies Cincinnati Football more than him. He has worked so hard to become the player he is, and he has battled through so much adversity. Getting a player of his caliber with leadership qualities back for next season is a huge boost for our defense."