TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati football General Manager Zach Grant announced multiple additions and promotions within the Bearcats’ recruiting and personnel department on Tuesday, highlighted by Cass Simmons, AJ Wessel and Peter Abrams earning new titles.
The Bearcats also hired Director of Recruiting Strategy Jalen Burbage and had previously announced the addition of Director of Player Personnel Nick Lamattina.
Director of Recruiting Caroline Tart remains in her role coordinating on-campus visits for a fourth season, while Grant recently signed a contract extension that is expected to keep him at UC for several more years.
“Our staff is the foundation of our recruiting success,” Grant said. “Nick and Jalen bring energy to our operation, and Cass, AJ and Peter have consistently demonstrated leadership and growth within the program. Caroline is the backbone of our whole operation. We are thankful for our administration’s continued commitment to investing in the people who drive Cincinnati football forward.”
Simmons will serve as the Assistant General Manager – Recruiting after completing three seasons with the Bearcats as the Director of Recruiting Strategy. Simmons joined the Bearcats’ staff as its Director of Recruiting Strategy in 2023. He was previously an offensive line assistant and director of player personnel at Stephen F. Austin before joining Ohio State’s recruiting staff in 2022, working alongside Grant. He has been at the forefront of building lasting relationships with recruits’ families and through the start of their Bearcats careers.
Wessel’s title is Assistant General Manager – Personnel. He has spent six seasons as a member of the Cincinnati football support staff, most recently as the associate director of football administration. Among his many roles as a student and full-time staff member within the program, he was also an undergraduate student trustee within the university’s board. Wessel served as the Bearcats’ Pro Liaison the last two seasons, coordinating all scouting visits and gaining praise from the NFL community.
Abrams was named the Director of Scouting. He is entering his sixth football season within the program, including time as a student where he graduated in December 2024. He started as a player personnel/recruiting assistant before earning full-time status in January 2025 as a player personnel and recruiting analyst. He has also worked in the athletics communications and marketing departments early in his undergrad career.
Grant, who was named Football Scoop’s Player Personnel Director of the Year in 2021, enters his fourth season as the GM for the Bearcats. He leads the player acquisition, revenue sharing and recruiting efforts of the Bearcats. The top players Grant helped bring to UC include linebacker Jake Golday (Central Arkansas), record-breaking wide receiver Cyrus Allen (school-record 13 TD catches in 2025), All-Big 12 tight end Joe Royer (Ohio State), and several other standouts.
Tart continues in her essential role. This will mark her sixth year working under head coach Scott Satterfield, the longest consecutive tenure within the staff.
Lamattina, previously announced in December as UC’s Director of Player Personnel, spent the last four seasons in multiple roles at his alma mater, WKU. He began working for the Hilltoppers as a student in February 2021 under Grant.
Burbage comes to Clifton by way of Eastern Kentucky, where he was the assistant wide receivers coach for two years. The Lexington native was also a starter for the Colonels in 2023, starting six games with 403 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to Academic All-UAC honors. He had two catches for 30 yards against UC in his debut as well. Burbage played his first four years at Lehigh, where he also had a kick-return touchdown.
2026 Cincinnati Football Recruiting and Personnel Department
Zach Grant, General Manager
Cass Simmons, Assistant General Manager – Recruiting
AJ Wessel, Assistant General Manager – Personnel
Caroline Tart, Director of Recruiting
Nick Lamattina, Director of Player Personnel
Peter Abrams, Director of Scouting
Jalen Burbage, Director of Recruiting Strategy