Bearcats Fall in Latest Way-Too-Early Top-25 Ranking

Cincinnati has a few questions to answer in Fall Camp.

© Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

CINCINNATI — ESPN just updated its way-too-early top-25 rankings and Cincinnnati fell off four spots from the initial ranking following Georgia's victory in the National Championsip game. UC just snuck into the rankings at No. 23, despite adding four-star transfer RB Corey Kiner.

"With (Desmond) Ridder leaving for the NFL," Mark Schlabach wrote. "The Bearcats turned to a familiar face -- former backup (Ben) Bryant -- to compete with Evan Prater for the quarterback job. Bryant spent three seasons at Cincinnati before transferring to Eastern Michigan in 2021; last season, he completed 68.4% of his attempts for 3,121 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Prater, who attempted 11 passes in 2021, was Mr. Football in Ohio in 2019. Kiner, a Cincinnati native, is transferring from LSU, where he was the Tigers' second-leading rusher with 324 yards for two scores last season. Another former Mr. Football in Ohio, Kiner will be a favorite to replace Ford. Arquon Bush and Leroy Bowers look like the top candidates to replace (Ahmad) Gardner and (Coby) Bryant at cornerback, but that won't be easy."

The thought that Bowers, a linebacker, could play a significant role in replacing UC's All-American corners is out of left field and speaks to the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of Bearcats football.

Finding a defined starting quarterback plan in Fall Camp could quell some of those questions. A couple of other notable teams ranked on the list are Arkansas (No. 20) and Houston (No. 13).

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You May Also Like:

UC Football Adds Commitment From Three-Star Athlete Braedyn Moore

Report: Myjai Sanders Visits Tennessee Titans

Cincinnati Lands Rob Phinisee in Transfer Portal

Corey Kiner: 'Why Come Closer to Home When I Could Just Come Home?'

Five Bearcats Selected in Latest Three-Round Mock Draft

Seven Bearcats Scheduled to Workout at Cincinnati Bengals Local Showcase

Recruiting Roundup: Four-Star RB Visits Cincinnati, Basketball Team Offers Georgia Guard

Desmond Ridder Comparing Himself to Titans' QB Ryan Tannehill in NFL Meetings

Former Bearcats Punter James Smith Signs With CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders

Report: Detroit Mercy Transfer Guard Antoine Davis Visiting Cincinnati

Desmond Ridder Getting Plenty of First Round Buzz Ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

Old Dominion Transfer Kalu Ezikpe Committing to Cincinnati

Rayvon Griffith Committing on May 1

Bearcats Highest-Ranked Group of Five School in ESPN FPI

Rayvon Griffith Committing on May 1

Recruiting Roundup: Bearcats Offer Four-Star 2024 Tight End; Wes Miller Targets Two 2024 Talents

Report: Over 10 NFL Teams Grade Desmond Ridder as a First-Round Talent

Four Bearcats Selected in Latest Two-Round Mock Draft, Including Ahmad Gardner in the Top-Three

Indiana Transfer Guard Rob Phinisee Places Cincinnati in Top-Two Choices

Cincinnati Offers Five-Star 2024 Center Somtochukwu Cyril

Luke Fickell: 'You Can't Leave a Legacy in a Few Years'

Eight Bearcats Selected in Latest Seven-Round Mock Draft

Peter King: Desmond Ridder 'Likely' a First-Round Pick

Four-Star 2023 Guard Rayvon Griffith Places Cincinnati in Top-Five Schools

Takeaways From UC's 2022 Spring Game

Watch: Luke Fickell and Gino Guidugli Give their Thoughts on 2022 UC Spring Game

National Analyst Praises Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner: 'He Might Be the Biggest Slam Dunk' in 2022 NFL Draft

Bearcats Q&A: A Ball-Handling Discussion With Mika Adams-Woods

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bearcats all the time!

Follow All Bearcats on Twitter: @AllBearcats

Like All Bearcats on FaceBook: All Bearcats

Follow All Bearcats on Instagram: @BearcatsTalk