Summer Q&A: Antwan Peek Jr.

Redshirt senior Antwan Peek Jr. enters the 2026 season as one of the most experienced players on Cincinnati’s roster, having appeared in 36 games over the last three seasons. The former walk-on played in all 13 games last year and recorded a career-best 59 tackles, earning a semifinalist nod from the Jim Thorpe Award. A Bearcat through and through, Peek is the son of UC Athletics Hall of Famer Antwan Peek.

How did you begin playing football?

“I began playing football when I was about two or three years old. Growing up, watching my dad play football for the Houston Texans, he was taking me to all the practices. So that's definitely where I started playing football.”

Who is your all-time favorite football player?

“Growing up, my favorite players were Kam Chancellor and Marshawn Lynch. Legion of Boom!”

What do the fans mean to you?

“The fans mean a lot to me. Coming to these home games since I was a kid and seeing the atmosphere, and now today having about 35,000 fans in the stands. I haven't played in a better stadium than UC.”

Describe the atmosphere at a Nippert at Night game

“A Nippert at Night game means a lot to me. Playing at 7:00 p.m., it’s dark outside, it's definitely unique. Not a lot of teams do that and other institutions do that. It's definitely unique, it's a great atmosphere. The fans are rowdy. It's all loud. By far the loudest stadium I've been in.”

What does Nippert Stadium mean to you?

“Nippert Stadium to me is everything that I have, it's everything that I need. Having the fans behind me, listening to them. It definitely brings me a lot of energy knowing my family is watching me, so it definitely means a lot to me.”

What is your favorite football memory?

“My favorite football memory was definitely last year when we beat Iowa State. Seeing the fans rush the field, that was really cool. Not a lot of people get to experience that and it was just a really cool experience.”

What do you like to do outside of football?

“Outside of football, I'm a big gamer, I love to watch movies. I've recently been playing Star Wars Battlefront 2. That's a big game that I've been playing in the last few weeks.”

What is your favorite movie?

“My favorite movie is by far Elf.”

What is your favorite TV show?

“My favorite TV show is a cartoon, the Regular Show. I grew up watching that with my brother after school every day, and I still watch it to this day.”

What are you listening to before a game?

“Before a game I'm definitely listening to Babyfxce E.”

Who is the funniest person on the team?

“Marquaze Parker is one of the funniest guys on the team. I would say Judea Milon as well. He's a really funny guy.”

Describe your position coach.

“Coach [Adam] Braithwaite, he's goofy, but he's real. He will tell you we are not doing the right things, but off the field, he's a really good guy. He takes our position group out to eat. But on the field, he definitely gets after us. He's a great coach.”