2026 Cincinnati Bearcats Football Season Preview

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In 2021, the Cincinnati Bearcats made history as the first American Conference team to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff. Two years later, Cincinnati transitioned to the Big 12 Conference, and they’re slowly but steadily acclimating to the league.

Scott Satterfield has been at the helm since the Bearcats’ Big 12 debut, overseeing a two-win improvement each season from 3-9 in 2023 to 7-6 in 2025. To take the next step, however, Cincinnati must avoid allowing one loss to snowball into an avalanche. The Bearcats lost seven straight after a 2-0 start in 2023, five straight after a 5-2 start in 2024, and another five straight after a 7-1 start in 2025.

Cincinnati’s strong-start, slow-finish trend doesn’t apply only to entire seasons. It was evident on a more granular basis last year. The Bearcats were a +100 in first halves and a -39 in second halves overall, and a +43 in first halves and -41 in second halves in Big 12 play. Thus, finishing strong — both in games and over the course of a season — is the mantra for 2026.

But Cincinnati finally got that long-awaited taste of Big 12 success in 2025. The Bearcats climbed as high as No. 17 in the AP Poll and controlled their own destiny for a Big 12 Championship appearance until Nov. 15. Only five starters return — albeit three elite offensive linemen — and Satterfield now looks to build on that foundation while sustaining the program’s annual upward trajectory.

Staff

Scott Satterfield enters his fourth season with a 15-22 record at Cincinnati. While Satterfield remains under .500, his steady progress has kept him in the Big 12. Last season, he rattled off five-consecutive Big 12 victories — more than he accumulated in 2023 and 2024 combined.

Cincinnati did not renew offensive coordinator Brad Glenn’s contract this offseason. Rather than appoint a single replacement, Satterfield is divvying up co-offensive coordinator duties between offensive line coach Nic Cardwell and quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas, both of whom are in their fourth year with the program.

Defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt accepted a position as linebackers coach on Matt Campbell’s staff at Penn State, creating another coordinator vacancy. This opening was filled by former Army defensive coordinator Nate Woody, the godfather of the “3-4 East Coast Defense.” Woody most notably guided the Black Knights to the nation’s fourth-ranked scoring defense and eighth-ranked total defense during their 2024 American championship run.

Special teams coordinator Luke Paschall is the lone returning coordinator to this staff after a successful year one on campus.

Returning assistants include Sean Dawkins (running backs), Vijay Stingley (wide receivers), Josh Stepp (tight ends), Robert Nunn (edge rushers), Cortney Braswell (co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers), Adam Braithwaite (outside linebackers), and Walter Stewart (defensive line) — the only positional coach whose tenure predates Satterfield.

Newcomers to staff include safeties coach David Rowe, who coached cornerbacks at Rutgers the past two seasons, and cornerbacks coach Larry Murphy, who acted as Rowe’s assistant cornerbacks coach at Rutgers. The Bearcats also added a familiar face in Mark Speir as assistant head coach, three years after he served as the program’s chief of staff.

Offense

• Key arrivals: QB JC French IV, QB Liam O’Brien, RB Zylan Perry, Gi’Bran Payne, WR JV Gibson, WR Malachi Henry, WR Cade Wolford, WR Larenzo Fenner, WR Flynn Schiele
• Key departures: QB Brendan Sorsby, RB Tawee Walker, RB Evan Pryor, RB Manny Covey, WR Cyrus Allen, WR Jeff Caldwell, WR Caleb Goodie, WR Noah Jennings, TE Joe Royer, C Gavin Gerhardt, OT Deondre Buford
• Key incumbents: RB Zion Johnson, WR Isaiah Johnson, C Taran Tyo, G Evan Tengesdahl, G Xavier Lozowicki, OT Joe Cotton, OT Nolan Latulippe

You can’t discuss Cincinnati’s offense without starting in the trenches. The Bearcats boasted one of the country’s top offensive lines in 2025, allowing just eight sacks all season, including two across their first nine games. Only Army, which attempted 127 passes compared to Cincinnati’s 365, surrendered fewer. And the Bearcats allowed multiple sacks in just one outing all season. That same high-level blocking translated to the run game. Cincinnati ranked third in the FBS behind Navy and Utah with 5.69 yards per rushing attempt.

Cincinnati returns just three offensive starters, and all three reside on that vaunted o-line. Left guard Evan Tengesdahl is the headliner after attaining AP Third Team All-American honors in 2025. Left tackle Joe Cotton, who earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors alongside Tengesdahl, is also back in the fold. So is veteran Taran Tyo, who made 37 starts over the past three seasons. Tyo will replace NFL Draft selection Gavin Gerhardt at center after transitioning from right guard.

The Bearcats will stack their star talent on the left side of the line, but they must fill in vacancies at right guard and right tackle. Xavier Lozowicki and Judea Milton are candidates for right guard after making 12 appearances apiece in 2025. Former FCS Freshman All-American Nolan Latulippe and Zac Clarke, who was yet to see collegiate action, are suitors for the right tackle spot.

The line will provide pass protection services for JC French IV, who replaces Brendan Sorsby as the starting quarterback. French became the all-time leading passer at Georgia Southern after two seasons as a starter, contributing 2,831 yards in 2024 and 2,929 in 2025. French threw 20 touchdowns to eight interceptions last year on 63.8 percent efficiency, while adding career-bests in rushing yards (315) and rushing touchdowns (6). He played behind a Georgia Southern offensive line which allowed 2.31 sacks per game last season, which tied for 100th in the FBS, but improved pass protection could unlock a better version of himself in Cincinnati. Reigning First Team All-Ivy League quarterback Liam O’Brien provides stability as French’s backup after firing for 2,376 yards at Penn last fall.

Cincinnati loses its top three running backs from an efficient rushing attack in Tawee Walker, Evan Pryor, and Manny Covey. But the Bearcats place faith in their offensive line to pave the way for the new crop of backs. Zion Johnson rises into a potential RB1 role after playing four games as a true freshman, generating 106 rushing yards and a touchdown. Transfers Zylan Perry (Louisiana) and Gi’Bran Payne (Notre Dame) also should see substantial action, parrticularly Perry, who arrives after consecutive 680-yard seasons in the Sun Belt. The Bearcats strive to place greater emphasis on the run game this year. Despite 5.69 yards per carry — the third-highest average in the country — the team ranked 120th in rushing attempts per game. That imbalance contributed to them to finishing dead last in the FBS in time of possession.

Similar turnover is evident at wide receiver and tight end. Cincinnati loses each of its five top receivers, including NFL Draft selections Cyrus Allen and Joe Royer, and they’ll rely on a batch of transfers to fill in the cracks. JV Gibson logged 199 receiving yards at Oklahoma last year after a highly-productive 2024 season in the FCS. A horde of small-school stars join the group including Malachi Henry (889 yards, 10 TD at Central Arkansas in 2025), Larenzo Fenner (1,002 yards, 15 TD at South Dakota in 2025), and Flynn Schiele (former Harlon Hill Trophy finalist for top player in Division II). Rounding out the newcomers is one of the roster’s most explosive weapons in Cade Wolford, who turned 19 receptions into 509 yards (26.8 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns last season at Kent State.

Tight end is the most inexperienced position group on offense. Gavin Grover, who has one career start in 25 appearances, is the veteran on the roster after securing four catches for 58 yards last season. Cincinnati will rely on internal development at tight end after not bringing in any transfers.

Defense

• Key arrivals: DE Thomas Johnson, DT Chidera Otutu, DT Josh Hough, ILB Filip Maciorowski, ILB Damaine Wilson, OLB Patrick Bauer, CB Jacob Finley, CB KK Meier, CB Kenny Worthy, FS Jasper Beeler, FS Ty Goodwill, SS MJ Cannon
• Key departures: DE Mikah Coleman, DE Jalen Hunt, DT Dontay Corleone, DT Isaiah Rodgers, ILB Jack Dingle, OLB Jake Golday, CB Matthew McDoom, CB Logan Wilson, FS Trevon Gola-Collard, FS Xavier Williams, FS Jiquan Sanks, SS Christian Harrison
• Key incumbents: DE Marquaze Parker, DE Jaylon White-McClain, ILB Jonathan Thompson, OLB Antwan Peek Jr., OLB Simeon Coleman, CB Daniel James

Cincinnati introduces defensive coordinator Nate Woody, who will implement his signature East Coast 3-4 scheme — a change from the Bearcats’ previous 3-3-5 look. The scheme has thrived at other FBS programs, including fellow Big 12 competitor Texas Tech. The East Coast 3-4 relies heavily on pre-snap disguises as well as speed, oftentimes using safety personnel at linebackers.

One safety making that transition to linebacker is Antwan Peek Jr., one of two returning starters to the unit. The former walk-on has been a reliable contributor over the past two seasons, producing 114 tackles and six forced fumbles over the timeframe. Peek gained additional muscle to prepare for his new role, where he is likely to rack up more tackles while playing closer to the line of scrimmage.

The other starter back on defense is linebacker Jonathan Thompson, the team’s returning leader in tackles. Thompson ranked second on the team behind Jack Dingle with 74 stops, while producing a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss.

Cincinnati’s defense ended the season shorthanded, and despite the losing effort, the Liberty Bowl gave several reserves valuable experience in a high-stakes environment. Among them were defensive end Marquaze Parker, who earned his first career start in the game, and defensive end Jaylon White-McClain, an Old Dominion transfer who saw some of his most substantial action in the January showdown. Outside linebacker Simeon Coleman tied his career-high in tackles that evening, as did cornerback Daniel James. All four could vie for starting spots in Woody’s refurbished defense.

The Bearcats leaned heavily on the portal to complete the unit. There’s an entire contingent of potential starters from a solid Northern Illinois defense, including inside linebacker Filip Maciorowski, safety Jasper Beeler, and cornerback Jacob Finley — the Huskies’ second, third, and fifth leading tacklers, respectively. Maciorowski added 6.5 tackles for loss, Beeler contributed three interceptions, and Finley notched a team-high eight pass breakups. The MACtion influence in the secondary extends to Bowling Green transfer MJ Cannon, who stays in-state after posting 57 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks in 2025.

The secondary added several other experienced transfers, including UTSA starting cornerback KK Meier, Washington State cornerback Kenny Worthy, and South Alabama free safety Ty Goodwill. They’ll aim to solve a passing defense that allowed opponents to complete 66.8 percent of attempts last season, which was the 12th-highest rate in the FBS. Additionally, Cincinnati’s defense only intercepted two passes last seson, a glaring deficiency which must be corrected.

Transfers along the defensive front include defensive tackles Chidera Otutu (UTSA) and Josh Hough (California (PA), by way of Syracuse), who must help replace former All-American Dontay Corleone. The Bearcats also added FCS edge rushers Thomas Johnson (NC Central) and Patrick Bauer (Illinois State), with Johnson arriving fresh off a 12-sack season. Another key addition is Damaine Wilson, an inside linebacker who excelled as a true freshman at Georgia State before injuries severely limited his availability in 2025.

Special Teams

• Key arrivals: KR Zylan Perry, KR Cade Wolford
• Key departures: KR Logan Wilson, PR Manny Covey
• Key incumbents: K Stephen Rusnak, P Max Fletcher, LS Eli Stein

Luke Paschall is the only coordinator Cincinnati retained for 2026, and his presence helped with special teams continuity. The Bearcats return their kicker, punter, and long snapper, entering the new year with plenty of established chemistry.

Stephen Rusnak will serve as the placekicker for the second-straight season. In 2024 at Charlotte, he drilled 11-of-11 field goal attempts including all three tries from 50 yards or greater. Rusnak didn’t replicate that perfection at Cincinnati, but he finished 13-of-17 in his first year, going a perfect 9-of-9 from inside 40 yards. The Bearcats didn’t use him once from 50 or beyond last year, but that was a testament to the effectiveness of the fourth down offense, which converted 18-of-24 attempts (75%) to rank third in the FBS.

Max Fletcher earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. His 45.4 punting average ranked second in the conference, and he pinned 18 of 41 attempts inside the 20-yard line. Fletcher regularly booted the ball 55 yards or greater, concluding the year with three punts of 60+ yards.

The return game must find new talent after the departures of Logan Wilson and Manny Covey. Louisiana transfer running back Zylan Perry didn’t return any kicks in 2025, but the fifth-year senior is a worthy candidate after leading the FBS in kick return yards in 2023. Kent State transfer Cade Wolford also has dabbled in the return game. Whoever wins those jobs will be tasked with recording Cincinnati’s first special teams touchdown since 2022.

Schedule and Outlook

* denotes non-conference game

Cincinnati has produced upward movement each year in the Big 12, progressing from 3-9 in 2023 to 5-7 in 2024 to 7-6 in 2025. Still, all three seasons unfolded similarly with strong starts followed by nightmare finishes.

The pieces are in place for another strong start. The Bearcats don’t leave the city confines until October, playing four straight games in Cincinnati to open 2026. The 129th and final chapter of the Victory Bell rivalry against Miami (OH) isn’t necessarily a home game, as it will take place at neutral-site TQL Stadium, roughly two miles from Nippert Stadium. In all likelihood, the Bearcats will be touchdown-plus favorites in all three September non-conference games, including the season opener against Boston College.

Conference play is where the schedule ramps up in difficulty. Cincinnati is slated for four home games and five road games, and it must face all four Big 12 teams that collected 10+ wins in 2025 — Texas Tech, Utah, Houston, and BYU (all in a five-week timeframe). Add an early October road trip against Arizona, which won nine games a year ago and retains star quarterback Noah Fifita, and the Bearcats should have their hands full in conference play.

Cincinnati boasts one of the best offensive lines in the country, and that alone should give the Bearcats one distinct advantage in almost every game. If the running backs behind the o-line materialize, they should have another potent rushing attack. But to continue the upward trajectory, Cincinnati must get an efficient version of JC French IV, while simultaneously improving the run defense and generating more takeaways.

Bowl eligibility should be reasonably attainable thanks to a favorable non-conference slate, but the team must be equipped to navigate a brutal conference schedule — particularly withstanding the three-game stretch of Texas Tech, Utah, and Houston. There is no shortage of opportunity for signature wins. And perhaps one of those wins is all Cincinnati needs to experience a brighter November than it did in each of the previous two seasons.

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