Top 2022 Edge Rusher Mario Eugenio Commits to Cincinnati

The Florida-native had de-committed from Michigan earlier this season.

CINCINNATI — Four-star defensive end Mario Eugenio has committed to Luke Fickell and the Cincinnati Bearcats. He is now the highest-rated commit in UC's 2022 class. 

The Gaither High School (Clearwater, Fla.) senior de-committed from Michigan last month and made just one game day visit all season.

That came last weekend in the Bearcats 48-14 blowout of SMU, and it was an ace in the hole for Cincinnati.

"It was fun the whole time. We had a great time," Eugenio told Sports Illustrated. "I've been in contact with Cincinnati since the beginning of my junior year, so I already knew a lot about their culture; I just never seen it in real life."

Eugenio gave opposing quarterbacks nightmares during his days at Gaither, notching 30 combined sacks as a sophomore and junior. He checked at No. 71 on the SI99 preseason rankings and is their sixth-ranked edge defender in the 2022 class. Bearcat fans all across the senior-day festivities did their part to make Eugenio feel at home.

"The city is beautiful, the atmosphere is great, and the fans before the game were incredible," Eugenio said. "Everywhere I went, everybody knew my name. Like I didn't have to have my name tag with me. All the fans were like, 'Mario, just letting you know it's different around here.' Cincinnati is a different vibe."

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound force had offers from 20-plus schools, including Arkansas, Arizona State, and Oregon. Yet, his recruitment has boiled down to two teams: Cincinnati and Michigan. In the end, the 513 won out.

Next up for the incoming Bearcat is a trip to the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8.

For more on Eugenio, go here.

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