The offseason hope is there in Clifton, but so is the doubt. With a wild transfer portal run and the return of some prominent defensive talent, the Cincinnati Bearcats have provided their faithful something they hadn’t enjoyed for a while: optimism. That in itself is a victory for a program still getting used to Big 12 life.
But with the preseason power polls coming out, the outside world’s message is clear—Cincinnati isn’t there yet. The majority of media outlets put the Bearcats in the bottom third of the 16-member Big 12, a wake-up call for a fan base in desperate need of taking the next step following consecutive losing seasons.
Transfer U? Cincinnati Reloads, but Big 12 Power Rankings Remains
The 2025 season, Scott Satterfield’s third as head coach, is proving to be a referendum season. Are the Bearcats quietly constructing something? Or still mired in neutral in one of college football’s most dysfunctional conferences?
“Coaching is how I give back what was given to me.”
Cortney Braswell gets real about his journey from college dropout to helping lead Cincinnati’s defense.
🎥 From The 513 » https://t.co/Dudhz3NcG0 pic.twitter.com/tfj86fJkr4
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) June 7, 2025
First, the positive: Cincinnati is much more talented now than it was in December. The personnel struck the transfer portal with accuracy, emphasizing experience, physicality, and instant impact. And they hit nothing but pure shots. The signings feature names from Power 4 schools and FCS standouts looking to make their mark.
- RB Tawee Walker (Wisconsin/Oklahoma)
Walker provides Cincinnati with something it badly needed: backfield power. The 5’11”, 220-pound bruiser ran for 864 yards and 10 scores at Wisconsin during his one season there after transferring from Oklahoma.
A punishing runner with a late-season burst, Walker had consecutive three-TD games against Purdue and Rutgers and was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He’s likely to be the primary choice in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
- WR Jeff Caldwell (Lindenwood)
A Walter Payton Award finalist, Caldwell topped Lindenwood with 1,011 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 2024. The FCS All-American imports legitimate track speed and vertical zip to the Bearcats’ offense. Don’t get fooled by the FCS moniker—Caldwell possesses the skill to stretch Big 12 defenses immediately.
- DB Matthew McDoom (Coastal Carolina)
An underrated corner with a sense of the ball, McDoom recorded 36 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 pass breakups last year. His versatility to play both slot and perimeter positions makes him a key addition to a Cincinnati secondary that allowed too many chunk plays in 2024.
- DT Dontay “The Godfather” Corleone (Returning)
In a time when most stars run to the NFL or larger NIL payments, Corleone’s remaining at home was a program-building victory.
Arguably the best interior defender in college football, he recorded five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2024, frequently commanding double teams. His return gives Cincinnati defensive standing—and a tenfold improvement in locker room leadership.
- QB Brendan Sorsby (Returning)
Cincinnati’s most important player in 2025 may already be on campus. Sorsby transferred from Indiana in 2024 and quietly put together a sneaky-good season:
- 2,813 passing yards
- 18 touchdowns, seven interceptions
- 447 rushing yards, nine rushing TDs
He’s the only FBS quarterback from 2024 with both a 425-yard passing game and a 125-yard rushing game. If he takes another leap under center, the Bearcats could become one of the Big 12’s surprise offenses.
So Why the Doubt? Start With the Schedule
Optimism only goes so far when you’re staring down a Big 12 gauntlet. Cincinnati’s 2025 schedule is one of the toughest in the league, and it won’t offer many breathers.
The Bearcats travel to:
- Kansas (Sept. 27)— Big 12 sleeper with CFP hopes
- Oklahoma State (Oct. 18)—Still a powerhouse in Stillwater
- Utah (Nov. 1)—Arguably the most physical team in the league
- TCU (Nov. 29)— A late-season road trip to Fort Worth? Ouch.
MORE: 2025 Big 12 Power Rankings: Is Arizona State Still the Team To Beat?
Home games aren’t much better. Iowa State, UCF, Baylor, Arizona, and BYU visit Nippert Stadium, and all of them either bowled last season or are on the upswing.
So, where does that leave Cincinnati? Somewhere between “dangerous dark horse” and “still figuring it out.”
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