TicketsCINCINNATI – The Cincinnati football program held its first practice of the spring on Monday, hosting its first full-team practice at Nippert Stadium.
The first of 15 spring practices was competitive and lively, as the Bearcats were eager to get outside with the sun shining and the temperature approaching 70 degrees.
"First of all, I thought it was a great winter from our guys," said third-year head coach Scott Satterfield. "I thought they did an outstanding job with coach Niko [Palazeti] and Aaron's [Himmler] staff being very productive in the wintertime. I think we took advantage of it as coaches with installing and putting a lot of things in. We went back to day one install today. I thought it was a really good first day with guys flying around. I thought both sides of the ball made good plays. Our defensive backs made some good plays with interceptions and knock downs. I thought our wideouts made some plays for us as well on the edge. Threw a lot of vertical balls.
Satterfield has 28 new scholarship players on campus this spring, a number that will grow this summer when the rest of the freshman class makes its way to UC. He also has two new assistant coaches in Adam Braithwaite and Eddie Hicks, who will work with safeties and cornerbacks, respectively.
Spring football also means change for some returning players as roles are reevaluated. Two notable examples of that are Kye Stokes and Logan Wilson, both of whom are transitioning from safety to cornerback this season.
"We have a lot of new guys," Satterfield said. "I feel like it's like this every year now. We have 12 new high school players, 15 transfers, and a couple of guys who have switched positions. Logan Wilson is playing corner now, Kye Stokes is also playing corner. We have some guys who are moving around. So, some new things that happened today, but overall, it was a good day."
The new additions, combined with the return of several key pieces like redshirt senior defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, redshirt senior tight end Joe Royer, and redshirt junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby have the Bearcats excited for the 2025 season. Also back this season is redshirt senior running back Evan Pryor and redshirt senior center Gavin Gerhardt, as well as the linebacker duo of redshirt senior Jake Golday and sophomore Simeon Coleman.
Cincinnati will still have holes to fill after graduating some key contributors, however. Among them was NFL Combine participant John Williams, who leaves a hole at left tackle. Satterfield said there has been a spirited competition to fill that position this offseason.
"One thing about a practice like today, when you're just in helmets, it's hard for the O-line and D-line," he said. "I thought they did a really good job. Nobody was on the ground; they practiced how they are supposed to practice. There was good energy out here."
Cincinnati's spring football schedule is highlighted by the Spring Showcase presented by Skyline Chili scheduled for Saturday, April 12. The open football practice begins at 12 p.m. and will be preceded by an AD Tailgate for season ticket members featuring special guests. More information on the Spring Showcase can be found here.
The first of 15 spring practices was competitive and lively, as the Bearcats were eager to get outside with the sun shining and the temperature approaching 70 degrees.
"First of all, I thought it was a great winter from our guys," said third-year head coach Scott Satterfield. "I thought they did an outstanding job with coach Niko [Palazeti] and Aaron's [Himmler] staff being very productive in the wintertime. I think we took advantage of it as coaches with installing and putting a lot of things in. We went back to day one install today. I thought it was a really good first day with guys flying around. I thought both sides of the ball made good plays. Our defensive backs made some good plays with interceptions and knock downs. I thought our wideouts made some plays for us as well on the edge. Threw a lot of vertical balls.
Satterfield has 28 new scholarship players on campus this spring, a number that will grow this summer when the rest of the freshman class makes its way to UC. He also has two new assistant coaches in Adam Braithwaite and Eddie Hicks, who will work with safeties and cornerbacks, respectively.
Spring football also means change for some returning players as roles are reevaluated. Two notable examples of that are Kye Stokes and Logan Wilson, both of whom are transitioning from safety to cornerback this season.
"We have a lot of new guys," Satterfield said. "I feel like it's like this every year now. We have 12 new high school players, 15 transfers, and a couple of guys who have switched positions. Logan Wilson is playing corner now, Kye Stokes is also playing corner. We have some guys who are moving around. So, some new things that happened today, but overall, it was a good day."
The new additions, combined with the return of several key pieces like redshirt senior defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, redshirt senior tight end Joe Royer, and redshirt junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby have the Bearcats excited for the 2025 season. Also back this season is redshirt senior running back Evan Pryor and redshirt senior center Gavin Gerhardt, as well as the linebacker duo of redshirt senior Jake Golday and sophomore Simeon Coleman.
Cincinnati will still have holes to fill after graduating some key contributors, however. Among them was NFL Combine participant John Williams, who leaves a hole at left tackle. Satterfield said there has been a spirited competition to fill that position this offseason.
"One thing about a practice like today, when you're just in helmets, it's hard for the O-line and D-line," he said. "I thought they did a really good job. Nobody was on the ground; they practiced how they are supposed to practice. There was good energy out here."
Cincinnati's spring football schedule is highlighted by the Spring Showcase presented by Skyline Chili scheduled for Saturday, April 12. The open football practice begins at 12 p.m. and will be preceded by an AD Tailgate for season ticket members featuring special guests. More information on the Spring Showcase can be found here.