Bearcats senior defensive end #38 Mason Antoun played at Reading High School. UC senior linebacker #41 Kevin Hyland played at Elder High School. Both were local high school football stars who watched the Bearcats growing up, hoping for a shot to play football at the University of Cincinnati.
Both understand they may never get to start at their position, and they were never going to be full-time scholarship players. However, both guys love wearing the red and black on game day, and helping out however they can – special teams included.
Kevin wants to dominate at all phases of special teams this year and provide depth where he can to the linebacking corps now that Nick Temple and Jeff Luc are gone. Unlike last year, this year’s team has five to six linebackers that can all rotate in and play on Saturdays. He is excited to get another shot at the Miami Hurricanes at home under the lights on a Thursday night at Nippert Stadium. His greatest memory during his career was when Munchie Legaux hit Damon Julian for a 39-yard TD pass with 13 seconds to play to beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in 2012. Who can ever forget that play?
Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing and also plans to pursue the opportunity to go into coaching football when the time is right.
Mason hopes to play this year on special teams and help out whenever and however he can when his number is called. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in finance and plans to take his senior year to plan out his career outside of football. Being a lifelong Cincinnatian, he is also of the unquestionable belief Blue Ash Chili is better than Skyline and Gold Star.
By Andy Smith