TicketsCINCINNATI – Cincinnati Football head coach Scott Satterfield and four transfer portal additions met with the media on Thursday.
Defensive back Christian Harrison (Tennessee), defensive back Matthew McDoom (Coastal Carolina), offensive lineman Taran Tyo (Ball State), and running back Tawee Walker (Wisconsin) all answered questions about their arrival at UC, what to expect this upcoming season, and more.
The four newcomers represent an exciting crop of freshmen and transfer additions for the Bearcats. They're among the 28 new scholarship players on campus this semester, a group that includes 15 transfers and 13 true freshmen.
"We're really excited about the crew that we have," Satterfield said. "With the way college football is right now, it's a bit of a refresh or restart every year."
Last year's refresh included 47 new scholarship players at the start of the season, making it 75 scholarship players to make it to campus under Satterfield since his arrival. That number will increase this summer when the rest of the freshman class makes it to Clifton.
When the transfer portal opened last December, the Bearcats wasted no time in addressing their needs. Their aggression paid off, allowing them to land several talented players in the early going and earn recognition from The Athletic as one of the early winners of the transfer portal.
McDoom and Tyo were among those who joined the program in the early stages of the portal. Both were all-conference selections at their previous institutions and both were impressed by the interest Cincinnati showed in them from day one.
"Right when I hit the transfer portal, Cincinnati showed me a tremendous amount of love," said McDoom, a First-Team All-SBC selection last year at Coastal Carolina. "And when I came here for my official visit, it was the same thing."
McDoom totaled 36 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups a year ago, ranking 12th in the nation in the latter. He brings 38 career games worth of experience to UC.
Tyo was a third-team All-MAC selection last season at Ball State and provided protection for the second-ranked passing attack in the MAC. He started games at right tackle and right guard in his career, and formed an immediate connection with offensive line coach Nick Cardwell.
"During the recruiting process, the coaches would reach out at least once a day," Tyo said. "Coach Cardwell is such a great guy and he clearly cares about his players. That extends to the whole offensive line group too, everyone cares about each other and shares the desire to win."
Harrison and Walker, who both joined the program later in the process, shared similar sentiments.
Harrison, a former defensive back at Tennessee and the son of former Super Bowl Champion Rodney Harrison, knew almost immediately that Cincinnati was the right spot for him.
"From the minute I got here the coaches and staff were showing me love," he said. "It really shows how good the culture is here."
Rebuilding the culture was a priority for the Bearcats in 2024, and it's something that has been echoed by players and coaches alike. The fruits of that labor are visible when looking at the quality of players Cincinnati has been able to attract. Harrison appeared in 24 games during his career as a Volunteer, helping the 2024 squad earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Walker, a running back who starred at Wisconsin in 2024 and played at Oklahoma in 2022-23, fits that mold too. An honorable mention All-Big Ten recipient, he logged 864 rushing yards on 190 carries with 10 touchdowns. Unlike his other portal peers, Walker was not planning on playing another down in college. He was preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft when he received word that his waiver for another year of eligibility was granted.
"I was training for the NFL Draft and unexpectedly got another year of eligibility," Walker said. "After I entered my name into the transfer portal and took an official visit here, this place felt like home to me."
Walker, who played in the Big 12 with the Sooners for two seasons, is familiar with the type of football featured in this league. He is also familiar with the shoes he has to fill, left empty by departing running back Corey Kiner.
"This is a great conference and I know Cincinnati is a team that runs the ball well," Walker said. "Corey did really well here, and I think we have a similar running style, so I hope I fit right in."
Another point in favor of the Bearcats during this recruiting cycle? Cincinnati's new Indoor Practice Facility is set to open this summer, a state-of-the-art home for the football program that will provide amenities on par with any program in the country.
"I was able to tour the facility on my visit, it's really top-notch," Harrison said. "It's right up there with any of the top facilities I've seen."
"I've toured the facility, it's amazing," McDoom agreed. "Going through and seeing how each area is going to be set up has me really excited."
For now, these four new Bearcats are working out alongside their new football brethren and getting ready for year three in the Big 12. Their additions, combined with the return of several key pieces like Dontay Corleone, Joe Royer, and Brendan Sorsby, are all part of the plan for Satterfield and his staff.
"We've been able to retain the guys we needed to retain from last year's team," Satterfield said. "That's been huge for us. My formula has always been recruiting great players, retaining great players, and developing these players."
The Bearcats open the 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 28 against Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium. Seven home games highlight the 2025 slate, with Big 12 foes Arizona, BYU, Baylor, Iowa State, and UCF coming to Nippert Stadium.
Defensive back Christian Harrison (Tennessee), defensive back Matthew McDoom (Coastal Carolina), offensive lineman Taran Tyo (Ball State), and running back Tawee Walker (Wisconsin) all answered questions about their arrival at UC, what to expect this upcoming season, and more.
The four newcomers represent an exciting crop of freshmen and transfer additions for the Bearcats. They're among the 28 new scholarship players on campus this semester, a group that includes 15 transfers and 13 true freshmen.
"We're really excited about the crew that we have," Satterfield said. "With the way college football is right now, it's a bit of a refresh or restart every year."
Last year's refresh included 47 new scholarship players at the start of the season, making it 75 scholarship players to make it to campus under Satterfield since his arrival. That number will increase this summer when the rest of the freshman class makes it to Clifton.
When the transfer portal opened last December, the Bearcats wasted no time in addressing their needs. Their aggression paid off, allowing them to land several talented players in the early going and earn recognition from The Athletic as one of the early winners of the transfer portal.
McDoom and Tyo were among those who joined the program in the early stages of the portal. Both were all-conference selections at their previous institutions and both were impressed by the interest Cincinnati showed in them from day one.
"Right when I hit the transfer portal, Cincinnati showed me a tremendous amount of love," said McDoom, a First-Team All-SBC selection last year at Coastal Carolina. "And when I came here for my official visit, it was the same thing."
McDoom totaled 36 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups a year ago, ranking 12th in the nation in the latter. He brings 38 career games worth of experience to UC.
Tyo was a third-team All-MAC selection last season at Ball State and provided protection for the second-ranked passing attack in the MAC. He started games at right tackle and right guard in his career, and formed an immediate connection with offensive line coach Nick Cardwell.
"During the recruiting process, the coaches would reach out at least once a day," Tyo said. "Coach Cardwell is such a great guy and he clearly cares about his players. That extends to the whole offensive line group too, everyone cares about each other and shares the desire to win."
Harrison and Walker, who both joined the program later in the process, shared similar sentiments.
Harrison, a former defensive back at Tennessee and the son of former Super Bowl Champion Rodney Harrison, knew almost immediately that Cincinnati was the right spot for him.
"From the minute I got here the coaches and staff were showing me love," he said. "It really shows how good the culture is here."
Rebuilding the culture was a priority for the Bearcats in 2024, and it's something that has been echoed by players and coaches alike. The fruits of that labor are visible when looking at the quality of players Cincinnati has been able to attract. Harrison appeared in 24 games during his career as a Volunteer, helping the 2024 squad earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Walker, a running back who starred at Wisconsin in 2024 and played at Oklahoma in 2022-23, fits that mold too. An honorable mention All-Big Ten recipient, he logged 864 rushing yards on 190 carries with 10 touchdowns. Unlike his other portal peers, Walker was not planning on playing another down in college. He was preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft when he received word that his waiver for another year of eligibility was granted.
"I was training for the NFL Draft and unexpectedly got another year of eligibility," Walker said. "After I entered my name into the transfer portal and took an official visit here, this place felt like home to me."
Walker, who played in the Big 12 with the Sooners for two seasons, is familiar with the type of football featured in this league. He is also familiar with the shoes he has to fill, left empty by departing running back Corey Kiner.
"This is a great conference and I know Cincinnati is a team that runs the ball well," Walker said. "Corey did really well here, and I think we have a similar running style, so I hope I fit right in."
Another point in favor of the Bearcats during this recruiting cycle? Cincinnati's new Indoor Practice Facility is set to open this summer, a state-of-the-art home for the football program that will provide amenities on par with any program in the country.
"I was able to tour the facility on my visit, it's really top-notch," Harrison said. "It's right up there with any of the top facilities I've seen."
"I've toured the facility, it's amazing," McDoom agreed. "Going through and seeing how each area is going to be set up has me really excited."
For now, these four new Bearcats are working out alongside their new football brethren and getting ready for year three in the Big 12. Their additions, combined with the return of several key pieces like Dontay Corleone, Joe Royer, and Brendan Sorsby, are all part of the plan for Satterfield and his staff.
"We've been able to retain the guys we needed to retain from last year's team," Satterfield said. "That's been huge for us. My formula has always been recruiting great players, retaining great players, and developing these players."
The Bearcats open the 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 28 against Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium. Seven home games highlight the 2025 slate, with Big 12 foes Arizona, BYU, Baylor, Iowa State, and UCF coming to Nippert Stadium.