The 2018 Bearcats recruiting class is shaping up quite nicely and I get the sense that UC loyalists are going to have a lot to cheer about in the coming seasons. Newly-minted Head Coach Luke Fickell has pressed the reset button on the football program and is landing top tier Cincinnati talent like no coach before him.
A couple of days ago, local product (Fairfield, OH; GMC Conference) DE Malik Vann shocked me and the college football world by selecting the University of Cincinnati over a host of programs from every major conference, including…
- Alabama
- Florida State
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Notre Dame
- Ohio State
- West Virginia
- Oregon
- Wisconsin
Before the all-world defensive end committed to the Bearcats, I pledged to change the name of this site to “Malik Vann Sports Radio” if he chose UC.
Well, that’s happening May 1st through May 7th. My Twitter voice wrote a check that I intend to cash … for the sake of the Bearcats Nation. You’re welcome, fam.
Vann joins a handful of other highly sought after recruits in the 2018 class. By way of example, TE Josh Whyle (La Salle) also selected UC over Auburn, Oregon, and Wisconsin (to name a few).
While I’m reluctant to report rumors, here’s what I’ve heard through the (occasionally unreliable) grapevine. I heard that a group of top tier recruits from the Queen City met with each other during UC’s Spring Game last week, outside the view of the media and coaches (which I’m officially labeling the “Cincy Stud Summit“). During the Cincy Stud Summit, the recruits allegedly looked each other in the eyes and vowed to commit to UC if everybody was in.
In other words, Malik Vann may be the lynchpin of one of the most incredible recruiting classes the University of Cincinnati has ever seen! Here’s a Nostradamus-like hint from Vann’s Twitter account…
My fingers are crossed that Coach Fickell can continue to land these great local athletes. Southwest Ohio has always been one of the richest environments for high school football, and it’s exciting to see this coaching staff pursue and persuade these guys to play for UC. The recruits’ support systems and families are here. The University is phenomenal. Nippert is magical. Keep them coming, Coach Fick! Go Bearcats!
By Brian Fox
Lost in all this is the credit due Mike Bohn with his first major hire. He was criticized for some other hires at his previous stops and many, on many boards, were quaking in their boots. He’s exceeded every expectation I’ve had of him. Kudos Mike on a homerun hire!