Tag: Bearcats Recruiting

On Gratitude

December 11, 2018

Gratitude is a muscle; the more you flex it, the easier it becomes to be grateful. Negativity and pessimism are no different. The more negative you are, well you get it…

It’s interesting how often people choose pessimism, especially when the benefits of gratitude are so numerous. A steady diet of gratitude:

  • Improves physical health;
  • Improves psychological health;
  • Enhances empathy and reduces aggression;
  • Helps you sleep more deeply and for longer periods of time; and
  • Improves self esteem and increases mental strength.

Don’t believe me? Read this and the linked studies. Now that I’ve hard-sold gratitude, allow me a few more paragraphs of your attention to apply it to our beloved Bearcats.

Coming into this football season, it was unclear whether Coach Luke Fickell had made any progress with the team since taking over. The 2016 Bearcats stumbled through Tommy Tuberville’s last season and finished 4-8. Likewise, the 2017 Bearcats, Fickell’s first season, showed little promise. Though the team finished 4-8, a few of those wins were a play away from being losses (for what could’ve been a catastrophic 1-11 season). Privately, I worried the team regressed his first year.

Everything Fickell said was fine. It sounded like the things a new leader might say, even if it bordered on stereotypical coach-speak (i.e., Toughness, #JUICE, Let It Fly, and Together Everyone Achieves More). Fickell went the extra step of having one of his mottos – T.E.A.M. – stitched across the back of each of his UC vests. But mottos weren’t winning football games in 2017.

In 2018, the mottos were an overtime-road-loss-against-Temple away from winning eleven games. Fickell’s mottos brainwashed the players into outperforming expectations, including mine. In early August at Camp Higher Ground, I would’ve been thrilled with six or more wins. Thrilled. Now, in December I am hammered drunk off a ten win regular season, and I’m considering having “T.E.A.M.” stitched across the back of all my suit coats.

On New Year’s Eve, the 10-2 Bearcats will try to polish off an outstanding 2018 campaign by beating Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. The game is played in Annapolis, Maryland, which is a mere five hour drive from Tech’s Blacksburg, Virginia campus. While it sets up as a home game for the Hokies, I like UC’s chances to prevail in that game and to carry forward this season’s success into the offseason.

When I traveled to Los Angeles for the season opener against UCLA, I harbored low expectations. To now venture into bowl season in pursuit of an eleventh win, I’m feeling almost greedy. And overwhelmingly grateful.

One of the disciplines I’ve tried to incorporate into my daily rituals is to jot down a few things I’m grateful for just before I go to sleep. I keep a disheveled stack of notepads on my bedside table which basically form something of a gratitude journal. Alongside references to warm thoughts of family, friends, clients, and career you’ll find notations about a Bearcats team that made fall Saturdays fun and a coach who inspires. Thanks for reading.

By Brian Fox

For more, follow B. Fox on Twitter @BearcatsRadio.

Coming Home

October 10, 2018

A “home” is more than a house, yard, or structure; it’s a feeling. And your experience of “coming home” is indelibly shaped by the other people who share that common address.

If you had a good childhood, arriving home was probably an experience. The smell of food simmering on the stove. The sound of a yappy dog. The mess of your bedroom. Depending on the number of siblings, your arrival home was either calm or chaotic.

If you had a bad childhood, arriving home was an altogether different experience. Maybe your arrival was marked by the sounds of argument, stomach knots from anxiety and tension, or worse yet – the haunting sounds of silence and isolation. If that was your experience with “home,” I offer my sincerest apologies and wishes for a more functional future.

As you know, Saturday’s matchup against Tulane was this season’s Homecoming game. UC alums from across the nation traveled back to their Clifton roots, recalling what “coming home” meant at 18 years of age. The not-so-hypnotic lava lamp on a card table. Animal House poster above the decaying fireplace. Stale beer and dirty dishes marinating in the kitchen. No doubt folks reminisced about old dorms, old bars, and old friends.

You see, home looks different in Clifton than it did 30, 20, 10, or even one year ago. And the mood on UC’s 199 year old campus feels different than last season. Way different.

To appreciate how different, I offer up a dysfunctional recollection. On October 1, 2016, the Bearcats faced USF under Nippert’s lights as the fan base was tiring of the revolving door of quarterbacks. Ross Trail, a 2015 quarterback recruit who chose UC over Louisville, Memphis, and Ohio State, threw three interceptions that night. After the young QB tossed his third, he was showered in boos, mercilessly. Some defended themselves and said they were merely booing the coaches. Regardless, so much for “home” field advantage…

Candidly I think the fan base is still recovering from 2016 Nippert lows, exercising a measure of restraint even still. Again, home is less about facts and more about feels. Sometimes even after a house has been made over, woes outpace wins…memories overpower merriment. This is especially so in a history-rich city like Cincinnati. “I hope Coach Fickell can get them turned around, but that last coach….”

Well, the turnaround appears self-evidently underway. Compared to the on-field dysfunction of 2016, Fickell’s team of coaches seems squared away. Compared to last year’s 4-8 team, this 2018 team is a revelation. UC is 6-0 headed into the bye week this week, and a cadre of young players lead the way.

RS Freshman QB Desmond Ridder has already thrown for over 1,000 yards (82 of 125 for 1,062 yards), 10 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions. Ridder has also rushed for 315 yards, adding 4 more touchdowns with his legs.

Speaking of running the ball, Sophomore RB Michael Warren II has 124 carries for 664 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s the first running back since Isaiah Pead to rush for over a 100 yards in three consecutive games.

More than wins and statistics, though, football is fun again. The positivity and support for the Bearcats on Saturday, inside Nippert Stadium and out, is returning. The momentum (and joy) I observed in 2009 hasn’t returned just yet, but the energy is finally building around a UC team once again ranked in the Top 25 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll.

For those of you who made it back to Nippert Stadium for Homecoming on Saturday, I hope it felt like you were “coming home.” I hope you relived past stories and connected with old friends. But way more than that, I hope you caught a glimpse of what might be returning to the University of Cincinnati – a football program inching its way back to national prominence, a football program that desperately needs your positive energy going forward.

So go ahead and mark your calendars for the Navy game (November 3rd), #23 ranked USF (November 10th), and the home finale against ECU (November 23rd). Come home; let’s make Nippert the best place for our guys to play and the worst place for opponents.

By Brian Fox

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

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

Man Behind The Muscle – Brady Collins

August 23, 2018

It’s 7 a.m. on a Tuesday, he has already gone for a run and finished a lift lifting session for the day.  Now he’s ensuring the team is up and eating a healthy breakfast.  Glancing around the cafeteria to double-check certain players are eating proper portions to gain or, in some cases, even lose weight.

Is Bryan Wright drinking his protein shake?  Did the freshman receivers finish their plates or just go for the waffles loaded up with syrup and whipped cream on top?  Just a few of the million steps thoughts and questions answered every single day of Brady Collins’ life – and he loves every minute of it.

Over the past few years we have noticed an explosion of strength training programs and facility upgrades across division 1 college football.  What used to be just one facet of a college program is now considered to be just as – or even more – important than the X’s and O’s.  Some say the strength coach is the most important piece of the puzzle behind the head coach.

The free market economy seems to agree.  Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle will rake in $725,000 this year.  Nick Saban considers Scott Cochran to be his righthand man.  Scott earned $535,000 last year.  Indeed, a whopping 80 D1 strength coaches earn six-figure salaries.  With some offensive and defensive coordinator salaries crossing the million-dollar mark, this should come as no surprise, and trust me, every dollar is justified.

Let’s be clear – Mr. Collins’ role is absolutely vital to the success of the Bearcats football program.  College football isn’t so much about “the X’s and O’s” as it is “the Jimmies and the Joes.”  And who eats, sleeps, and breathes with the players?  Who trains the players 280 days a year?  Who is responsible for bulking up those talented, yet scrawny, freshman?  Who helped Bryan Wright drop 30 pounds to transition to his middle linebacker position this year?  Why the man behind the muscle, that’s who.

Collins played four years of D3 football at Otterbein College, graduating in 2009.  For those who don’t know, student athletes at this level do not receive scholarships.  In Brady’s words, “you are playing for the love of the game.”  Armed with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, he knew at that time what he wanted to do.

He took an unpaid internship position with the Ohio State University.  Then, he earned an internship with the University of Kentucky.  He helped the Cincinnati Bengals program, during these early years.  He eventually earned a graduate assistant position with UK in 2010.  He did not earn a salary until he was around 26, having to work at Finish Line selling shoes to pay the bills and put food on the table.

“Intern. Volunteer. Do whatever it takes.”  Words to live by.  He lived in a small one-bedroom apartment, paying $400 in rent to make ends meet.  Focused on the future, Collins then worked at Mississippi State before getting the call to head to the Ohio State University.

Brady spent time with Randall Cobb (AKA “Batman”) while at UK and also Dak Prescott while at Mississippi State – two of the most charismatic, energetic football players around.

While at OSU in 2015, Collins formed a close relationship with “Coach Fick,” as he calls him.  When Luke Fickell began to form his staff after being hired at UC, Brady Collins was a no-brainer.

Although there is no typical path to become a D1 strength coach, Collins considers his long, winding path to be the most common in the profession.  Be prepared to move around the country with a day’s notice.  Be prepared to work your butt off.  Be prepare to do whatever it takes.

Known for his “juice” concept and “attention training,” Brady instills a new-found energy in the weight room and on the field.  Loud music every day.  Themed workouts.  Switch it up. Daily challenges.  Encourage.  Encourage. Encourage.

When he’s not training the football team in the Monster fFctory, Collins enjoys spending time with his wife and their daughter.  You might even find him at his favorite restaurant, Tony’s, scarfing down a steak.

By Andy Smith

Tyrell Gilbert – Senior Corner, Pro Fisherman, and Lasagna Lover

August 23, 2018

Senior defensive back #2 Tyrell Gilbert has been around the block at UC, this being his final dose of Camp Higher Ground.

Described as “a bitter sweet feeling,” there is no experience like being at CHG for two weeks “and getting to gel with your brothers.”  Gilbert talked to us about the advantages of having no distractions and just being able to focus on football and improving as players in West Harrison, Indiana.  He will miss the college experience at Camp and having the opportunity to feel each other and get better day-by-day.

Gilbert was very proud to track down Cornerbacks Coach Mike Mickens and drag him into the cold tub after the final day of Camp on Wednesday afternoon.

Listed at 6’ and 190 lbs., Gilbert played in all 12 games last year, starting eight games as an outside linebacker.  He finished 2017 with 32 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

A three-star recruit and dual-threat quarterback out of high school, Tyrell was ranked the 51st safety recruit in the country.  Playing at Princeton High School, he decided to stay home and play his college ball at Nippert Stadium.  Gilbert has worn #2 since he was seven years old and he will continue to rock this number on his jersey during his final year in Clifton.

Gilbert has a three-year old daughter who he spends as much time as possible with when he isn’t on the football field.  Tyrell loves to go fishing, catch bass and catfish, and relax.  He used to fish with Korey Cunningham a.k.a. Big Country before Korey left UC to play for the Arizona Cardinals.  His favorite fishing hole is about an hour away from campus, known as Catfish Paradise.

Last – but not least – his favorite meal is his mom’s homemade lasagna and garlic bread.  I’m sure she will not be disappointed hearing that!

By Andy Smith

#7 Coby Bryant – Breakout Corner and Artist On and Off the Field

August 19, 2018

Sophomore cornerback Coby Bryant hails from famous Glennville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.  A three-star recruit out of high school, Coby was one of the top corners in Ohio.

During his childhood, Bryant developed a close relationship with the Ginn family.  He considers Ted Ginn as a brother.  The two frequently talk and Ginn continues to mentor Coby on and off the field.  Quite fitting, Bryant wears #7 across his chest.

Coby’s older brother, Christian, played defensive back at Ohio State University under Luke Fickell and now plays in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns.  Coach Fickell developed a relationship with Coby over the years, and luckily for Bearcat fans, the relationship led Coby down to Clifton.

Coby is very mature and business-like for just a sophomore.  He interviewed very well and you could just tell he has goals he will check off very soon.  Some of those goals include becoming an All-American corner and helping the Cats win as many games as possible.  Cornerbacks Coach Mike Mickens is thoroughly impressed by Bryant’s progress over the offseason and into Camp.

Watch out for #7 roving around in the secondary this year.  Coach Mickens still holds the all-time interception record at UC.  However, an athletically gifted student of the game like Coby could come for that record very soon.

Off the field, Bryant enjoys drawing.  His go-to meal around campus is Raising Canes, and we cannot argue with him there.

The hard work is paying off.  I am sure both of his brothers are proud.

By Andy Smith

Mike Mickens – A Journey Back Home

August 19, 2018

Mike Mickens was born and raised in the suburb of Huber Heights, just outside of Dayton, Ohio. The 31-year-old is an absolute legend among University of Cincinnati Bearcats fans.

Recruited by Mark Dantonio in 2005, Mickens dawned a #21 and an “S” on his chest for all four years at UC.  He received All-American honors not once, but twice.  The best cornerback in Bearcats history, Mickens still holds the interception record (14) and the interception return yard record (296). He was a strong component in leading the Bearcats to their first ever BCS Bowl his senior season, when the Cats took the field in the 2009 Orange Bowl.

Mickens remembers the brotherhood of those UC teams.  The 2008 season was a fun year to play under coach Brian Kelly.  “Many, many memories,” Mickens said, that will stick with him the rest of his life.  His favorite memory is beating 7th-ranked Rutgers his sophomore year.  Seeing oranges get thrown on the field to close out the 2008 regular season at Nippert Stadium is also up there.

He tore up his left knee his senior year, resulting in an unfortunate, nagging injury that would stick with him the remainder of his professional career.  Considered a possible first round talent, Mickens was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.  He also played briefly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Calgary Stampeders, before retiring from football in 2010.

A tremendously positive and influential individual, a knee injury could not keep Mickens off the football field.  Coaching was a natural transition for the UC legend.

In 2011, Mike became a defensive assistant at UC. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. In 2012, he held the same position for Indiana State University.  In 2013, he coached the cornerbacks at Idaho before taking the same position at Bowling Green State University in 2014.

Then, in 2018, Mickens came back home to coach the cornerbacks for the Bearcats in Clifton.  In his words, “a dream come true.”   Cincinnati – the place that helped put Mike Mickens on the map.  Only fitting he should return to help guide a new batch of defensive backs to hopefully break all of the records Mike set, just 10 years earlier.

A talented, young bunch, including freshman Arquon Bush, sophomore Coby Bryant, and junior grad transfer Cameron Jefferies.  The sky is the limit for Mickens – just the way he likes it.

Camp Higher Ground hasn’t changed much since Mickens graced the field as a player.  A new building and new turf on the practice field, but the overall feel of Camp remains the same.  A two-week grind designed to advance the players as much as possible before the season begins.

When Mike isn’t coaching the corners at UC, you might find him scarfing down some seafood for dinner at Pappadeaux in Springdale.  A true Cincinnatian, he loves a three way with two cheese conies (with mustard and onion, of course) from Skyline.  Mickens also enjoys to golf and bowl in his free-time.  On a good day, he can bowl a 180, a formidable score from a competitive man.

Watch out for #21’s familiar face coaching from the sideline this year at Nippert.

By Andy Smith