Cincinnati took a step back in 2023 under Scott Satterfield, finishing 3-9 in its first year in the Big 12. The pressure is on and the Bearcats will need to step things up in 2024 if they want to remain contenders.
That being said, the Bearcats return their top rusher and receiver and worked hard in the transfer portal to improve the defense. Here are the top 10 returning players for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Cincinnati Bearcats Top 10 Returning Players
10) Carter Brown, K
Kicker Carter Brown had a solid year last season, as he was perfect on extra points and made 15 of 19 field goals. He has a huge leg and is two for two in his career from beyond 50 yards, including a 54-yarder this past season.
He provides a reliable and known quantity for a team lacking that at several positions.
9) Brendan Sorsby, QB
The Indiana transfer had a good season last year for a struggling Hoosiers team, throwing 15 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He’ll need to take better care of the ball as a runner, as he had eight fumbles last season, but he’s a gritty dual-threat who can pick up tough yards.
The Bearcat offense will likely go as Brendan Sorby goes this season, making him one of the most important players in the entire Big 12.
8) Jared Bartlett, LB
Jared Bartlett comes to Cincinnati after five seasons at West Virginia, bringing a ton of experience to the Bearcats linebacker group. He has nearly 1,600 snaps in his career and 145 tackles from his linebacker position.
He doesn’t have much ball production, as he’s forced just three turnovers in his career, but he’s a good tackler who understands the game.
7) Derrick Canteen, S
Derrick Canteen comes to Cincinnati after three years at Georgia Southern and a season with Virginia Tech. He was elite against the run last year and has over 160 tackles in his career. In coverage, he’s only allowed a completion percentage of 54% to opposing quarterback.
He has seven career interceptions and 21 pass breakups, so he should be able to improve a shaky pass defense.
6) Evan Pryor, RB
Pryor has all the talent in the world but struggled to stay healthy in past seasons with Ohio State. The former four-star recruit had 40 career carries and a touchdown for the Buckeyes and now moves over to Cincinnati where, if healthy, he has the opportunity to compete for the starting spot.
If he reaches his potential, he could be a superstar for the Bearcats, but he needs to stay on the field to do that.
5) Mikah Coleman, EDGE
An Eastern Michigan transfer, Mikah Coleman put up great numbers in a breakout 2023 season, racking up 30 pressures and five sacks from his edge position. He comes to Cincinnati hoping to have an immediate impact.
After Dontay Corleone announced he’d likely miss this season, the Cincinnati defensive line has a huge hole that needs to be filled. Coleman is hoping to replace some of that lost production.
4) Mehki Miller, Star
Miller played three seasons at Miami (OH) before two terrific years at New Mexico State. He’s returning to Ohio to play for Cincinnati and will come in as one of the most decorated players on the defense. At New Mexico State, Miller racked up 88 tackles, including 60 last season.
He’s solid in coverage, giving up one touchdown all season, and had a pick-six against Western Kentucky.
3) Xzavier Henderson, WR
Henderson was one of the few transfers into Cincinnati last season who lived up to the hype. He had a few inconsistent games, mostly due to inconsistency at the quarterback position, but when he had the ball, he was extremely dangerous.
He’ll look to improve on last year’s 58-catch, 782-yard campaign as he’s a legitimate NFL prospect.
2) Corey Kiner, RB
Kiner had over 1,000 yards last season for the Bearcats despite not having much of a passing game to balance him out. He averaged 5.5 yards a carry and had five touchdowns a year ago, but he may be used more in the red zone this season now that Emory Jones has moved on.
Kiner is a load to bring down at 5’9″, 215 pounds, and returns behind a talented offensive line. The Bearcats are one of only a handful of Big 12 teams to return their top rusher in 2024.
1) Luke Kandra, OG
One of the lone bright spots last year for Cincinnati’s offense, Kandra had an All-Big 12 campaign, taking home honors from both the coaches and media. He’s back for one final year before entering the NFL Draft and could have another big season.
Kandra followed Satterfield from Louisville in 2023, where he was used as a swing tackle for the Cardinals, appearing in 21 games in 2021 and 2022.
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