Bearcats Dance Team Members Seniors Spotlight

September 20, 2018

One of the most storied collegiate dance teams in the nation, the UC Dance Team has won seven national titles and ten world titles to date. And if this year’s class of seniors has it their way, they’ll add even more accomplishments to the program’s growing resume this year.

Given their competitive success and role in Bearcats game day culture, we thought it might be helpful to hear from the senior dancers about what they look forward to this season…

Erika Cane: “With this being my fourth year on the team, I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities this season has to offer. My previous three years have been so different and so rewarding in their own ways. I’m most excited to get on that nationals mat one last time and close the chapter on my college dance career. That feeling of exhaustion and satisfaction all at once comes at the end of a nationals routine when I’m standing next to my best friends, knowing we gave every last ounce of energy and soul into what we have worked on all season. It gives me chills just thinking about it and I cannot wait, go Cats!”

Courtney Willman: “My name is Courtney Willman. I am a fourth year on the team. Outside of dance, I’m a marketing major, business analytics and psychology minor. I am very excited for fall sports mostly because it’s my last year, and I just really want to be able to soak in everything. Everyone always says that it goes by so fast, which is cliché, but also so true. Never again will I have the chance to dance in Nippert or in Fifth Third after this year, so I just want to enjoy every second. We have a really awesome vibe and connection on the team this year, along with some crazy talented dancers. That makes me really excited to see what we can do this year. Everything we do is for nationals, so I’m looking forward to the journey to get there and to see what we put on the floor the in January.”

Amber Roberts: “I’m a fourth year here at UC in the heath sciences department pursuing my dream of becoming a physical therapist! Fall sports are my absolute favorite because I feel like the entire campus has this charge surrounding it! Everyone just got back and everyone is reminded of how amazing it is to be a Bearcat!! I am so excited for the upcoming dance season because it’s officially my last go around! I can tell that there is something very special about his group of ladies that I am surrounded with this year and I can’t wait to see what crazy heights we achieve!”

Caroline Kelley: “Being on the University of Cincinnati dance team required a lot of dedication and hard work. This year, it is easier to do those things because of the special group of girls that we have. Each girl has truly embraced our goal of positivity and taken it to a new level. We are constantly pushing each other to be better dancers inside and outside of the gym. I am personally excited about cheering at football games this year because of the bond that we already have. The bond between each class and girl normally does not come until the end of basketball season. The fact that it is already here means that this season is off to a great start and we only want to continue to grow.”

Demi Peterson: “Hi, I’m Demi Peterson. I’m a fifth year from Seattle, Washington studying health education with a focus in Exercise & Fitness. I am currently a personal trainer and work at our campus recreation center! I have been on the team for four years coming up on my fifth and football season is my favorite part of Dance! I love being able to stand out on Nippert and cheering in front of thousands of fans! The atmosphere is so intense and getting to see our Cats score a touchdown right in front of me is always the best. I’m super excited for everything about this season as it is my last year, I hope to take in as much as I can and enjoy dancing for one last time with my best friends.”

Marissa Stone: “Hello, I’m Marissa Stone and I am a fifth year senior here at UC. I am from Pasco, Washington studying Health Education with a focus in Public and Community Health. I am going into my fourth year on the UC Dance Team and I am very excited about cheering at our first home game at Paul Brown! Football season is one of my favorite things about being on the UC Dance Team. Having the opportunity to cheer in Nippert for all of our students and fans is very fulfilling. I cannot believe this will be my last season! I can’t wait to see where this season takes us and I am cheering for many more Bearcat wins!”

Jaime Kruzel: “I’m excited for fall sports because it’s the beginning of a new year and everyone is excited for what’s going to come out of the year. I also love football games and seeing all the fans come out and filling up the stadium. I’m looking forward to being in the new arena!”

Taylor D’Ambrosia: “I’m a senior on the University of Cincinnati dance team, majoring in Communications with a certificate in journalism and sport media. I am very excited for fall sports because it is my last year of college and I can’t wait to be a part of the atmosphere and represent the C-paw on the Nippert turf. Being with my friends and family on game days makes it even more worthwhile. With the new basketball arena being built and ready to go in a few months I am ready to get the chance to dance in Fifth Third for my last season. Our team is one of the tightest and supportive group of girls I know. We always have each other’s backs inside an outside of practice. We have a huge amount of talent this year which makes me super pumped for nationals. We already started off this year on the right foot so there is only moving up from here. My heart and soul is embedded into this program and will stay with me forever.”

By Taylor D’Ambrosia

Unleashing The Freak – #32 James Wiggins

September 19, 2018

Listed at 6-foot and 200 lbs. on the depth chart, this simply does not do safety James Wiggins justice.  Originally committed to the University of Miami, James Wiggins, a.k.a. Wig, a.k.a. the Freak wanted to escape Florida, having been there his entire life.  Thankfully for us UC fans, he wound up far, far way here in Clifton.

Coach Steve Clinkscale was responsible for recruiting Wiggins to UC. Coming out of high school in Homestead, Florida, Wig was listed as the #13 cornerback in Florida.  He turned down offers from Miami (FL), Louisville, and UCF, among others, to join the Bearcats.

Wiggins wears #32. Although his number is #6, Perry Young will not be giving up his jersey anytime soon.

The Freak is just built different.  You can see it on gamedays.  You can see it almost anywhere.  Standing on the sidelines at practice on this humid Tuesday afternoon in September, James looks as if the Greek Gods themselves chiseled his body out of stone.  No, Brady Collins does not force 12 protein shakes down his throat every day, Wiggins simply has always been this way.  A winner of some mighty fine genetics, both of his parents were successful athletes.  His dad, a football player, and his mother, a track star, both in the talent-rich Miami area.

So how did Wiggins earn the nickname Freak?  Well, Coach Collins witnessed in awe as James squatted 455 pounds (13 times, mind you) during an early squat day.  The rest is history, so they say.  Just a small glimpse of his raw talent and power, during the Miami (OH) game this year, Wiggins crushed a ballcarrier.  Not targeting.  Not unsportsmanlike conduct.  Just a grown a$$ man play.  And it was fun to watch as a fan.

The Freak had a pivotal pick against UCLA.  He has 14 tackles, two pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and a few special teams returns on the season through three games.  The UC secondary is fun to watch again, and the Freak is a big reason why.

A fan of cheeseburgers, Chinese food, and everything in between, Wiggins loves to eat.  A criminal justice major, James is enjoying school.  All smiles all the time – he doesn’t have any fears.  I guess I wouldn’t either if I could bench 405 lbs. and crush human skulls.

By Andy Smith

The Punter From Down Under – #37 James Smith

September 19, 2018

A First-Team All-ACC selection as a true freshman, left-footed sophomore James Smith is no stranger to success.

Prior to his arrival in Clifton, Smith played professional Australian football – and played it quite well.  A member of the Wangaratta Rovers since 2013, James eventually trained for 16 months at Prokick Australia to earn a scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 football.  He would travel over three hours four times a week to train and learn the American game.  A small indicator of James’ work-ethic, the training paid off, earning him a spot on the Bearcats in 2017 as a 23-year-old freshman.

Traveling 9,683 miles across the world from Wangaratta, Australia, to start a new life is no small task.  James is handling the transition with ease.  Having earned a 4.0 last semester, Smith is an all-star on the field and in the classroom.  Smith would love to get into the digital media world, and he looks up to Dan Hoard and Tony Pike.

His family attended the UCLA game in Pasadena, California, and stuck around for the last two weeks to watch the Bearcats earn wins against Miami (OH) and Alabama A&M as well.  While Mike Warren was the popular vote for MVP of the Miami game, behind Smith’s steady leg, the Redhawks were always pinned back deep in their own territory.  Smith averaged 46 yards on eight punts in a torrential downpour, resulting in Miami being unable to put any points on the board.  Indeed, three of his punts landed inside the 20-yard-line.

The sure-footed and reliable punter earned a spot on the Ray Guy Award Watch List.  This season, the 6’ 5” and 225 lb. Smith is averaging 45 yards a punt, with nine of his 18 punts landing inside the 20.  He is no longer sporting the long hair either.

A huge fan of water sports, James enjoys wakeboarding.  He is also a huge fan of our very own Skyline Chili and the homey atmosphere surrounding Cincinnati.

Lastly, Smith recommends everyone visit the East Coast of Australia, including the barrier reefs.

By Andy Smith

#14 Cameron Jefferies – A Prodigy at Corner and in the Classroom

September 6, 2018

A new name to the football squad this year is Cameron Jefferies.  He spent his first two seasons up north at Bowling Green State University, where he was coached by Mike Mickens.  In only two years at BGSU, Cam earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and supply chain management while also starting at corner for the Falcons on an opportunistic secondary.  In his words, “he learned a lot” and “enjoyed the experience at Bowling Green.”

Last year Mike Mickens left BG to take the same coaching position here in Clifton at his alma mater, and Jefferies followed suit.  As a grad transfer student, he decided to transfer to UC and play immediately this season and next year.  With a need for cornerbacks, the three-and-a-half-hour drive down I-75 South was a perfect fit for #14.

Like Cameron, I also graduated from BGSU in two years.  We reminisced about the BG campus located in the middle of a cornfield. Only a Walmart, a Meijer’s, and a handful of restaurants in sight.  If you want a new pair of pants, enjoy driving 30 minutes away to the closest mall in Toledo.  Needless to say, the change from rural BGSU to a vibrant, bustling UC campus was much-needed for both of us.  I enrolled at UC Law School.  Cam enrolled in a master’s program to earn another marketing degree.

You may be wondering how Cam was able to graduate college so quickly.  Any high school student in Ohio, including those at the Cleveland area school Riverside High School where Cam attended, can enroll in post-secondary.  This means Cam was able to attend college classes at a local college and earn college credit free of charge.  Jefferies enrolled part-time his junior year and transitioned to full-time his senior year.

He ended up accumulating over 30 hours of college credit before graduating high school. All of this on top of lettering in football, basketball, and track.  Cam played numerous positions on offense and defense and earned a three-star recruit ranking.

While other kids were busy playing Candy Crush and liking pictures on Instagram, Cam had a full plate of academics and athletics. Naturally, he continued working tremendously hard in college.  Playing D1 football in and of itself is a full-time job.  But Cam also took over 18 credit hours of classes, including a final 21-credit hour summer session to quickly exit BGSU and earn his degree.

Cam is not wasting any time.  He may potentially earn three degrees before his college eligibility ends.  He still finds time to hangout with his teammates and play Madden and watch movies somehow.  Jefferies really hasn’t had a chance to experience all of the restaurants around town, having just finished three weeks of Camp Higher Ground after arriving to Clifton.

Cam played in the UCLA season opener and racked up three tackles.  His first time in California, he relished the experience of a lifetime playing in the Rose Bowl.  “We want rings,” he said in response when asked about season goals.

We are still waiting on his opinion of Skyline. However, suffice it to say, Jefferies is and will continue to be a highly successful person both in the classroom and on the football field.

By Andy Smith

On Pasadena

September 2, 2018

The road to the Rose Bowl Stadium twists through the suburban Pasadena corridor. Small Rose Bowl signs dot the roads leading to the historic structure. The main road east of the stadium winds around a sweeping turn and then [pause] the view opens up. Tucked in a valley surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains, the iconic football temple sits, reverently. It is striking against the mountain canvas.

I’ve been a college football fan my entire life. I prefer it to any other sport, college or professional. I love the sound and colors, the pageantry of it all. The sound of rhythmic percussion layered beneath screaming fans, chanting cheerleaders, whistle stops, and pad pops is my favorite fall album. I listen on repeat.

Saturday, the Rose Bowl dazzled — the colors were a feast for the eyes. The blue sky and yellow sun mirrored UCLA’s blues and yellows, which combined with red roses, red-faced spectators, of course, the glints of red on UC’s mostly-white uniforms. Like curtains, mountains draped the perimeter of the stadium as far as the eye can see.

Walking on the field, I felt small. I recalled mornings in my childhood basement, sun peaking through the blinds as the Tournament of Roses parade occupied my television. I thought of iconic games played on that grass, Keith Jackson’s effusive — “the granddaddy of them all” — ringing in my ears.

The Forecast

Heading into Saturday, I heard all the cynics, too. Outmatched. Outclassed. Too young. Stage was bigger than this team. Chip Kelly’s football IQ. UC’s program in decline. Yup, got it.

While I listened to certain doubters, I wasn’t buying their certainty. Don’t get me wrong, I had my doubts. As I watched the team practice at Camp Higher Ground this August, I was mostly perplexed. I’m not someone taken by slogans or football aphorisms. Discipline? Organization? Methodical preparation? Intensity? I am taken by those.

At times, I heard Luke Fickell’s voice boom as he chastised the team (and coaches) during transitions in practices. Gathering on the 10 yard line, I heard him undiplomatically cross examine whether the team wanted to compete…during every drill and every practice period. If they weren’t interested, he had some ideas. Fickell then laid into the other coaches for dragging around the field with no energy. But I heard Fickell boom last season. Why would this season be different?

At practices, I did observe a lot of young talent — the newest class of recruits is big. And last year’s recruits were a talented bunch. Some skilled veterans remained, especially on the defensive front. Still, I couldn’t tell how they were blending or whether Fickell’s attention to energy, body language, and effort were making a difference.

Entering Saturday, the so-called experts at ESPN were not high on the Bearcats’ chance of beating UCLA. To cover Vegas’ spread, UC just needed to lose by less than 15 points. Body language and energy notwithstanding, no one was bullish on the Bearcats. Even among the fan base, few thought a victory possible, let alone likely.

Given the precipitous rise and decline in UC’s success over the last decade, many suffer from whiplash. Or maybe it’s PTSD. Like kids raised during the Great Depression, we cling to low expectations to avoid traumatic disappointment.

As for me, I thought we could win if we didn’t bury ourselves with mistakes in the first quarter, and we fed Michael Warren II the ball. I thought it equally possible we’d get boat-raced in primetime on ESPN.

The Game

The first quarter picked up right where last season left off. A fumble in our own red zone led to UCLA jumping to an early ten point lead. Rinse. Repeat. My internal dialogue when peering up at the 10-0 scoreboard: Brian, you have to stop getting your hopes up; at this point you’re breaking your own heart. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

Then, the damndest thing happened. We fought back, all the way back. We didn’t quit. Anchored by the defensive front (and Cortez Broughton’s 2.5 sacks), Michael Warren II’s herculean effort (35 carries for 142 yards), and RS Freshman QB Desmond Ridder’s game management, the Bearcats stunned a national audience. And me. And probably you.

I Cried A Little

I’m not sure exactly when or why I teared up, but watching everyone celebrate hit me right in the chest. Chin quivering. Look, I understand it’s only the first game of the season. Don’t get carried away, Brian, you think.

But there we were, on a patch of Pasadena grass, encircled by mountains and decades of college football tradition. Regardless of age, all of us — “thy loyal children” of the University of Cincinnati — celebrating what felt like a program tipping point. I was undone. What a great day to be a Bearcat!

Next up, the Miami RedHawks. The Victory Bell. More tradition.

By Brian Fox

Brian Mason – Recruiting Wunderkind and New Special Teams Coordinator

August 30, 2018

Originally from Indianapolis, Assistant Coach Brian Mason is settling into Cincinnati nicely. He’s so comfortable, in fact, he’s declared the Queen City to be tops among cities he’s lived. Based on his many promotions to new opportunities along the professional coaching road, that’s high praise.

Mason attended Denison University before beginning his coaching career at Bluffton University, his first stop. That was followed by stops at Butler University, Kent State (where he met Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman), Purdue, and Ohio State. An eye for young talent, Luke Fickell wisely invited Coach Mason to join him at the University of Cincinnati.

He spent last season as the Director of Recruitment, presiding over the most prestigious and highly ranked class of recruits to set foot on UC’s campus. The 2018 signing class was ranked 46th by Rivals and 247. Recently promoted, Mason begins this season as the newly-minted Special Teams Coach.

Discussing the overall transition from year one to year two under Coach Fickell’s leadership, he identified one key change for fans to look for — an open playbook on both sides of the ball. Because players are now accustomed to (a) the high expectations culture (read: “every player must give year-round effort”), and (b) the basic schemes on offense and defense, coaches can layer in more complexity and creativity.

Preparing for UCLA and this season, Mason said the three key inflection points for this team’s success were…

1) Unit Strength — Fickell and Co. want to see more cohesive position units. The coaches want to see the players sacrificing for each other on and off the field. While it might sound like a mere talking point, I think a lot of a team’s success rises and falls on the culture directed by the coaches and executed by the players.

2) Relentless Effort — As familiarity with the offensive and defensive schemes grows, the expectation is that everyone will play faster. And relentlessly.

3) Development Metrics — The coaches are measuring how guys develop as football players by evaluating progress against metrics and benchmarks. Coaches are tracking these metrics both on the field and in the weight room.

The special teams unit Mason takes over is young. Punter James Smith enters the season as the most well-known commodity among specialists. Smith started as a true freshman last season, transitioning to UC (and the States) after having been a professional rugby player in Australia before the 2017 season. The kicking game is rounded out by Ryan Jones, who was recently awarded a scholarship, and freshman Cole Smith from nearby Middletown. Jones will kick the ball off, and Smith will kick field goals.

Special teams are frequently overlooked, but I’m convinced it’ll play a big role in how this 2018 Bearcats team competes. The 2017 squad struggled to put points on the board, so winning the field position battle will be critical.

By Brian Fox

Another Medaris – Another UC Speedster Wide Receiver

August 28, 2018

Junior wide receiver Rashad Medaris wears #17 on his jersey.  He is the younger brother of Anthony McClung, who played receiver at UC from 2010 to 2014.  McClung also went on to play in the NFL and CFL.  Fun fact – he and Zach Collaros played together in Canada for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  McClung also wore #17 his first year in Clifton.

Much like McClung, Medaris is a small, compact speedster.  At 5’ 11” and 182 lbs., Rashad can fly.  He played football, basketball, baseball, and track and field in highs school.

Rashad grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He attended one semester at Western Illinois before capitalizing on the mass exodus of UC wide receivers after 2015.  Who can forget that group, including six seniors, Shaq Washington (Head Coach of Maple Heights), Chris Moore (still in NFL), Mekale McKay (still in NFL), Johnny Holton (still in NFL), Alex Chism (played in NFL), and Max Morrison.  This will in all likelihood go down as the best group of Cincinnati wide receivers in history.

“It just felt right to come here,” according to Medaris.  His whole family was already familiar with the campus and driving to games at Nippert Stadium.

Due to the transfer rule, Medaris sat out in 2016.  In 2017, he played in the first five games on special teams and at wideout before suffering a season-ending lateral meniscus tear during the UCF game, requiring surgery and rehabilitation.  Rashad is now 100% recovered and ready to play again.

This year we can expect him to pick up right where he left off, slated as a starting wide receiver.  As Rashad indicated during our interview, Coach Fick wants everyone to play multiple positions, so he will continue his role on special teams.

Rashad is a Sports Administration major.  He will earn his degree next fall during his final year of eligibility.  He also told us his brother is back home in Indiana, soon to be a firefighter.  Rashad comes from a close family and his whole family comes to Clifton on game days – just an hour and 45-minute drive away.

Medaris is excited to play in the UCLA game and go to California for the first time.

He describes himself as a very chill person.  In his free time, you can catch him playing first-person shooter video games like Call of Duty and Fortnite on PS4.  He also loves eating at Qdoba.

By Andy Smith

Breaking Down the 2018 UC Football Season – Storylines and Predictions

August 25, 2018

We are less than a week away from kicking off game one of the University of Cincinnati 2018 football season, and we could not be more excited!  Let’s take a glimpse at some of the storylines, road trips, position battles, predictions, and general thoughts we have heading into the next football season.

  • The number one question everyone has is who will start at QB?  Likewise, who will finish the year at QB?  All signs point towards senior #8 Hayden Moore starting.  He is the only quarterback on the roster with game experience – period.  And he is a senior.  Very few head coaches in the country would rock the boat and go elsewhere on the roster.  Fans have been frustrated with Hayden, his Favre-like turnovers and interceptions, his lackluster deep ball, his difficulty reading defenses, and his lack of improvement over the years.  Listen, I get it!  But Moore has been through a number of coaching transitions and scheme changes.  He was the victim of quarterback musical chairs under Tommy Tuberville.  A lot of issues have been out of his control and he has not once complained to the media.
  • We do expect redshirt freshman #9 Desmond Ridder to get his chances throughout the year – whether we blow out a lesser opponent like Alabama A&M, Moore gets hurt, or Moore has a bad day.  Ridder should be able to get his feet wet in 2018 and likely start the remaining three years of his career.  Ridder has a very high ceiling.  He has thrown some great balls throughout the scrimmages this summer.  Even if he doesn’t take over this year, he certainly is the favorite for the next three seasons in Clifton – and how long has it been since UC had a three-year starting QB?  The last time a Cincinnati quarterback even started every game in a season was in 2005 with Dustin Grutza. The future is bright guys and gals!
  • #11 Bryan Wright transitions from freakish defensive end to a massive roaming 6’ 4” 245 lb. middle linebacker.  This will be great to watch when the Cats are on D.  You won’t be able to miss #11.
  • Freshman phenom #42 Malik Vann will in all likelihood get some serious playing time during his true freshman year.  The four-star recruit decided to stay home.  Rooting for him on Saturdays will be great.
  • #3 Michael Warren, II and #23 Gerrid Doaks. The sophomore running back tandem showed signs of promise last year.  Entering year two, thunder and lightning should take a lot of the load off of the passing game.  Warren looked like a freight train at Camp.  Doaks has been largely sidelined with a nagging injury – but we all saw his elusiveness and speed last year.  We can’t wait to see how the coaching staff interchange the two throughout the season, as both are capable starters.
  • Who will emerge at corner under Coach Mike Mickens?  Coach Mickens is the best defensive back in UC history and he made significant improvements to the secondary at BGSU the last year years.  #7 Coby Bryant has a high ceiling.  Will he emerge as a playmaker this year?  Grad transfer #14 Cameron Jeffries is immediately eligible and has made plays at camp.  Someone has to step up!
  • How much will the defense improve from year one to year two with the coaching staff in place?
  • What true freshman will play besides Malik Vann?
  • What receiver will step up?  Will #1 Khalil Lewis have the senior year we are hoping for to prove his readiness for the NFL? Players like #17 Rashad Medaris and #83 Josiah Geguara will be relied upon heavily.  Who will be this year’s Shaq Washington and Armon Binns?  Will a receiver or tight end emerge as a QB safety blanket?  This is one of the biggest unknowns.
  • How will the new redshirt rule be utilized?  Who will get to play up to four games throughout the year?
  • The Bearcats start off playing week one of the regular season – no waiting around for us Bearcats fans.  What’s worse than a bye week out of the gate?  Remember, 2014?  We had to wait three weeks until September 12th just to blowout the Toledo Rockets at Paul Brown Stadium.
  • Not only does UC play right away – the Bearcats take a road trip across the country to the most significant and truly beautiful stadiums in all of the country – the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.  We are absolutely jacked to fly out and cover this game in-person.  7 p.m. Prime time. ESPN.  All the buzz will be on this game with Chip Kelly returning to college football after a five-year hiatus.
  • The Bearcats should be 5-1, heading into week seven on the road on October 20th against Temple.  I truly hope UC can give UCLA all they can handle, but the talent gap, coupled with traveling across the country, Chip Kelly, and absolutely no idea how his playbook will look, will likely result in an L.  This game reminds me of playing Navy last year combined with the road trip UC made to Fresno State in 2009.
  • Navy comes to Nippert Stadium for the first time in history on November 3rd.  Will the Bearcats be able to learn from their mistakes last season?  Can we beat a triple option team?  This will be a fun one.  If you’re only planning to attend one home game this year, circle this date.

Season Prediction: In year one under Coach Fickell the Cats went 4-8 and missed a bowl game.  I think we can all honestly expect at least a 6-6 season with a trip back to a bowl game in 2018.  The season does lead to a possible ceiling of up to 9-3.  However, I simply do not see us escaping UCLA, Navy, and UCF.  South Florida will also be a tough game.  However, having those warm-weather softies come to Clifton in November and losing all-world Quinton Flowers definitely makes this matchup winnable.  Butch Jones led the Bearcats from 4-8 to 10-3 in year two.  Why can’t UC make the same improvement leaning on the best recruiting class in Bearcats history?

By Andy Smith

#43 Michael Pitts – Big Shoes To Fill Along The Defensive Line

August 25, 2018

Redshirt sophomore defensive end Michael Pitts looks to replace Bryan Wright’s role as a defensive end this season.  Last year, the athletic Wright was bright spot in a statistically frustrating UC defense.

#11 Bryan Wright is now transitioning to the middle linebacker position.  The 6’ 4” 240 lb. freak of an athlete played quarterback in high school, and now gets to be the play caller on the other side of the ball.  For the Bearcats to have success stopping opposing offenses, #43 Michael Pitts will need to fill Wright’s shoes on the D-line.  This will also be year two under defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman’s scheme, which should provide the consistently needed for improvement.

Mr. Pitts was ranked a three-star recruit out of high school.  He has the size to play the edge and can run a ridiculous 4.6 40-yard dash.  He has put on weight and muscle, having now spent two seasons in the program.  Pitts is currently listed at 6’ 4” ad 255 lbs.

He will be used as a defensive end, hybrid linebacker, and play the Jack position.  In the technical link of a 3-4 defensive scheme, the Jack is a hybrid of defensive end and linebacker. It gives big linebackers or small defensive ends a position. The Jack is pass rush specialist, but like a linebacker, is expected to defend against the pass in zone and man situations, as well.

Both Wright and Pitts have similar size, weight, and speed.  On paper the two players are indeed interchangeable.  The question becomes the intangibles and the in-game play the coaches simply cannot teach.  Wright is a special player, capable of making interceptions, dropping in zone coverage, and wreaking havoc in the backfield.  He now gets to contribute a larger role in the linebacker core.  Michael Pitts has shown a lot of promise through Camp Higher Ground.  Fingers crossed, this transitions to Saturdays.

A handful of players on this year’s team are from Georgia other than Pitts, including the all-important senior defensive tackle #96 Cortez Broughton.  Doesn’t it feel as though Cortez has been a permanent fixture in Clifton?  It will be very sad to see the energetic 6’ 2” 290 lb. mountain of a man leave after this season.

Pitts is “so happy to be back on campus” after 21 days of Camp Higher Ground.  On Friday the team had a mock game to prepare for the trip to UCLA.  The team has also been watching film from Chip Kelly’s days at Oregon, as well as his time throughout the NFL in San Francisco and Philadelphia.

Michael is a criminal justice major.  Classes are going well and he is excited to work hard and ball out this year.  You can catch him at the Chic-Fil-A on campus or the Pieology at U-Square when he’s hungry.  He also loves to play Fortnite.

Pitts has never been to California so he is thrilled to play in the Rose Bowl at UCLA next week.

By Andy Smith