3 key Cincinnati Bearcats offensive linemen returning for 2026
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Three Cincinnati Bearcats starting offensive linemen, left tackle Joe Cotton, left guard Evan Tengesdahl and right guard Taran Tyo, jointly announced their decision to return to UC next season on Thursday, Dec. 18.
The trio helped make UC’s offensive line one of the team’s strengths in 2025. Led by All-American Tengesdahl, UC’s line has allowed just seven sacks and 39 tackles for loss this year, figures that rank second and third nationally, respectively. The offensive line has paved the way for the Bearcats' offense that ranks second in the country in yards per carry (5.90) and sixth nationally in yards per play (7.13).
Tengesdahl was a reserve lineman the last two seasons before winning the left guard job during fall camp. The move has proven to be a shrewd one, as the Dayton (Wayne High School) native is the fourth-ranked guard nationally according to Pro Football Focus (85.0) and his run blocking grade of 89.5 ranks first among all guards in the nation.
Cotton and Tyo both joined the program via the transfer portal, two of the biggest additions the Bearcats made this year. Cotton started all 12 games at left tackle and Tyo started every game at right guard, quickly becoming key cogs in one of the best offensive lines in the country.
All three players have earned all-conference honors in their collegiate careers. Tengedsahl and Cotton were both All-Big 12 honorees this year, while Tyo earned All-Mid-American honors at Ball State. Cotton was also an all-conference honoree at South Dakota.
The three returning linemen, as well as center Gavin Gerhardt and right tackle Deondre Buford, will start one more game together in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. Navy on Jan. 2.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats to return 3 key starting offensive linemen for '26
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