Takeaways From Cincinnati Football's First Fall Camp Scrimmage

Cincinnati hit the field at Nippert Stadium.

Cincinnati Bearcats tight ends Michael McCalmont (82) and Gavin Grover participate in drills during football practice, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. / Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati football was in full action on Saturday during their first scrimmage of the 2024 fall camp. Let's dive into a few takeaways as the season approaches in less than three weeks.

Joe Royer Looks Ready

Cincinnati's offense could get way more impact out of the tight end position with Joe Royer, Joey Beljan, and more at that spot now. Royer was the standout player on the field Saturday. He took a short dump off more than 40 yards for a score and scored a 40-plus yard deep ball touchdown on a pass from Brendan Sorsby.

The 6-5, 260-pound force has only played 85 career snaps in college for various reasons over the past three years, but he looks completely healthy and in top-tier shape to impact the offense in a few weeks.

If Cincinnati can make him dangerous at all three levels of the field, their offense gets an added wrinkle it didn't have in Scott Satterfield's first season.

Quarterbacks Steady

Sorsby and Brady Lichtenberg were both solid on Saturday as the quarterback battle continues playing out. I didn't see anything that widely separated one from the other. Both made some big-time throws, both made some mistakes.

All in all, Lichtenberg looks more refined as a passer than he did in 2023 and it's keeping him in the mix heading into mid-August. He probably had the pass of the day on a threaded ball to slot wide receiver Aaron Turner for a score.

Sorsby had some nice throws as well and boasts the more dangerous ability as a runner.

Right Tackles Battling It Out

Philip Wilder and Deondre Buford are going back and forth for the starting job at right tackle this summer. Buford got the nod last year after power conference experience at Kentucky, but he struggled mightily (47.7 PFF grade across 728 snaps), while Wilder thrived (72.6 PFF grade across 243 snaps).

Satterfield noted after the scrimmage that those two are having a good competition, and will allow Cincinnati to get their best five-man combination on the field for the 2024 season.

The situation highlights how much depth Cincinnati has on its offensive front as it tries to lean on that strength to bounce back and make a bowl game this winter.

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