On Tuesday, February 3rd, the college football world wrapped up national signing day 2016. UC added a total of 23 new players to the football team. This includes 7 early enrollees who enrolled this semester so they can participate in spring practice and hit the ground running. Tuberville said, “we won some and we lost some, but we continued to add to our depth and athleticism.” That pretty much sums up the class. As Tubs has stated all throughout last year, we need to add speed and athleticism, and put those players in places to use their natural abilities as playmakers at multiple positions.
The Bearcats added 7 receivers, 6 defensive backs, 3 defensive linemen, 2 offensive linemen, 1 linebacker, 1 running back, 1 tight end, and 1 quarterback.
The star of the class inside and outside of the classroom is wide receiver Tyrin Summers, an early enrollee in January. Summers, a 3-star recruit, played running back, receiver, safety, and cornerback in high school and ended his prep days with a 4.4 GPA. He chose UC over USF, Miami (FL), West Virginia, and Oregon State.
Zach Bycznski, an offensive lineman out of Berea, Ohio, is also a huge get. He was the #8 center in the nation in the 2016 class and listed as a top-50 player in Ohio.
Marquis Smith, a 3-star defensive back, was the 2nd best corner back out of Michigan, 40th ranked corner in the country, and the #102 athlete in the nation.
EARLY ENROLLEES:
Bryce Beard DB 5-9 180 Fr. HS Fredricksburg, Texas/IMG Academy
Zach Bycznski OL 6-3 290 Fr. HS Berea, Ohio/Berea
Kendall Calhoun OL 6-7 290 Jr. JC Paducah, Ky./Tilghman/Lackawanna CC
Devin Gray WR 6-1 185 Jr. JC Reno, Nev./Reed/Sierra College
Bruno Labelle TE 6-4 211 Fr. HS Laval, Quebec/Collège Montmorency
Jake Sopko QB 6-3 200 Fr. HS Avon, Ohio/Avon
Tyrin Summers WR 5-9 160 Fr. HS Clewiston, Fla./Clewiston
COMMITS:
Curtis Brooks DE 6-3 265 Fr. HS Danville, Va./George Washington
Gerrid Doaks RB 6-0 190 Fr. HS Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central
Thomas Geddis WR 6-1 160 Fr. HS Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely
Eric Jenkins DB 5-10 180 Jr. JC Los Angeles, Calif./McMain/LA Valley
Malick Mbodj WR 6-4 188 Fr. HS Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain
Marcel Paul WR 6-1 170 Fr. HS Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech
Davin Pierce DB 6-2 190 Jr. JC Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips/Blinn College
Michael Pitts DE 6-2 232 Fr. HS Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson
Elijah Ponder DE 6-3 255 Fr. HS Avondale Estates, Ga./South Cobb
Jerron Rollins WR 6-2 175 Fr. HS Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus
Marquis Smith DB 5-10 169 Fr. HS Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti
Ty Sponseller LB 6-3 195 Fr. HS Mason, Ohio/Mason
Tyquan Statham LB 6-0 214 Fr. HS Atlanta, Ga./West Hall
James Wiggins DB 5-11 180 Fr. HS Homestead, Fla./South Dade
Perry Young DB 5-10 185 Fr. HS Birmingham, Ala./Spain Park
PREFERRED WALK-ONS:
Colin Widecan WR 5-10 175 Fr. HS Cincinnati, Ohio/Mariemont
UC will start the 15-practice spring football session on Thursday, February 25th. And the annual spring game will take place on Saturday, April 2nd.
By Andy Smith