Cincinnati Bearcats
Big 12
7-6 (5-4 conf)
SP+ #56AP #17
Ratings
2025
- SP+
- 4.5 (#56)
- SP+ Offense
- 30.2
- SP+ Defense
- 26.4
- SRS
- 2.9
- FPI
- 3.7
- Elo
- 1471
- Talent
- 644
- Recruiting
- 190 (#61)
Schedule
record 7–6
Schedule
47th
toughest of 136
Offenses faced
54th
toughest of 136
Defenses faced
50th
toughest of 136
Strength of schedule — how tough this team's opponents are, ranked 1 (hardest) to 136 (easiest) · 1 FCS game.
| Wk | Opponent | SP+ | Score | Margin | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NNebraska | +6.2 | 17-20 | -3 | L |
| 2 | vsBowling Green | -12.6 | 34-20 | +14 | W |
| 3 | vsNorthwestern State | FCS | 70-0 | +70 | W |
| 5 | @Kansas | +4.1 | 37-34 | +3 | W |
| 6 | vsIowa State | +9.9 | 38-30 | +8 | W |
| 7 | vsUCF | -1.2 | 20-11 | +9 | W |
| 8 | @Oklahoma State | -15.1 | 49-17 | +32 | W |
| 9 | vsBaylor | +1.4 | 41-20 | +21 | W |
| 10 | @Utah | +22.2 | 14-45 | -31 | L |
| 12 | vsArizona | +12 | 24-30 | -6 | L |
| 13 | vsBYU | +15.9 | 14-26 | -12 | L |
| 14 | @TCU | +8.3 | 23-45 | -22 | L |
| 1 ·P | NNavy | +6.2 | 13-35 | -22 | L |
Quarterbacks · 5
2025 · 110
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 1st | Brendan Sorsby | JR | 6'3" | 235 | — |
| QB | 2nd | Samaj Jones | FR | 5'11" | 207 | ★★★★ |
| QB | 3rd | Brady Lichtenberg | SR | 6'1" | 200 | — |
| QB | — | Zebulin Kinsey | FR | 6'3" | 222 | ★★★ |
| QB | — | Will Kocher | SO | 6'2" | 205 | — |
Running Backs · 6
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB | 1st | Tawee Walker | SR | 5'8" | 218 | — |
| RB | 2nd | Evan Pryor | SR | 5'9" | 195 | ★★★★ |
| RB | 3rd | Manny Covey | SO | 5'11" | 192 | — |
| RB | 4th | Zion Johnson | FR | 5'8" | 185 | — |
| RB | 5th | Chance Williams | JR | 5'7" | 190 | ★★★ |
| RB | 6th | Jakorion Caffey | FR | 5'10" | 212 | ★★★ |
Wide Receivers · 13
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | 1st | Cyrus Allen | SR | 5'11" | 180 | — |
| WR | 2nd | Caleb Goodie | JR | 6'1" | 178 | ★★★ |
| WR | 3rd | Jeff Caldwell | SR | 6'5" | 215 | — |
| WR | 4th | Noah Jennings | JR | 6'0" | 190 | — |
| WR | 5th | Isaiah Johnson | SO | 5'10" | 185 | — |
| WR | 6th | Elijah Jones | FR | 5'11" | 195 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Barry Jackson Jr. | SO | 5'11" | 195 | — |
| WR | — | Giyahni Kontosis | FR | 6'1" | 210 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Kale Woodburn | FR | 5'8" | 165 | — |
| WR | — | Dakarai Anderson | FR | 5'8" | 183 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Zane Kinsey | SO | 5'10" | 190 | — |
| WR | — | Taizaun Burns | FR | 5'10" | 170 | — |
| WR | — | Nash Biglin | SO | 6'3" | 205 | — |
Tight Ends · 8
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE | 1st | Joe Royer | SR | 6'5" | 250 | ★★★★ |
| TE | 2nd | Gavin Grover | SO | 6'6" | 255 | — |
| TE | 3rd | Patrick Gurd | SR | 6'4" | 250 | — |
| TE | — | Ka'Maurri Smith | FR | 6'5" | 245 | ★★★ |
| TE | — | Devyn Zahursky | FR | 6'4" | 250 | — |
| TE | — | Lyviel Waters | FR | 6'2" | 240 | — |
| TE | — | Kellen Davis | SO | 6'3" | 250 | — |
| TE | — | DaMari Witherspoon | FR | 6'5" | 240 | ★★★ |
Offensive Line · 17
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OL | — | Evan Tengesdahl | SO | 6'3" | 320 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Gavin Gerhardt | SR | 6'4" | 310 | — |
| OL | — | Deondre Buford | SR | 6'4" | 325 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Jake Wheelock | FR | 6'4" | 303 | — |
| OL | — | Zac Clarke | FR | 6'6" | 310 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Xavier Lozowicki | SO | 6'5" | 315 | — |
| OL | — | JP Schrieber | FR | 6'2" | 305 | — |
| OL | — | Cray Paich | FR | 6'5" | 315 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Judea Milon | SR | 6'4" | 312 | — |
| OL | — | Nolan Latulippe | JR | 6'8" | 315 | — |
| OL | — | Aiden Pastoriza | FR | 6'6" | 315 | — |
| OL | — | Joe Cotton | JR | 6'6" | 317 | — |
| OL | — | Marcus McGregor | FR | 6'3" | 295 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Zach Taylor | FR | 6'3" | 318 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Taran Tyo | JR | 6'3" | 325 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Grant Edgington | SO | 6'4" | 305 | — |
| OL | — | Ethan Green | JR | 6'6" | 313 | ★★★ |
Defensive Line · 20
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | 1st | Mikah Coleman | SR | 6'4" | 272 | ★★★ |
| DL | 2nd | Jalen Hunt | SR | 6'2" | 315 | — |
| DL | 3rd | Isaiah Rogers | SR | 6'2" | 297 | ★★★ |
| DL | 4th | Marquaze Parker | SO | 6'2" | 285 | ★★★ |
| DL | 5th | Dontay Corleone | SR | 6'1" | 335 | ★★★ |
| DL | 6th | Kamari Burns | SO | 6'3" | 300 | — |
| DL | 7th | Jaylon White-McClain | JR | 6'4" | 273 | ★★★ |
| DL | 8th | Rob Jackson | SR | 6'4" | 277 | — |
| DL | 9th | CJ McCray | SR | 6'3" | 260 | — |
| DL | 10th | Kamron Neal | FR | 6'2" | 268 | ★★★ |
| DL | 11th | Elijah Gunn | SO | 6'0" | 310 | — |
| DL | 12th | Tim Griffin | FR | 6'5" | 275 | ★★★ |
| DL | — | Cam Roetherford | JR | 6'3" | 300 | — |
| DL | — | James Early | FR | 6'3" | 230 | ★★★ |
| DL | — | CD McFee | FR | 6'4" | 310 | ★★★ |
| DL | — | Drew Logan | JR | 6'4" | 275 | — |
| DL | — | Harris Adams | SR | 6'3" | 305 | — |
| DL | — | Keilan Smith | SO | 6'2" | 330 | — |
| DL | — | Lendric Barber | FR | 6'3" | 310 | ★★★ |
| DL | — | Nathan Nunn | FR | 6'2" | 280 | — |
Linebackers · 14
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | 1st | Jake Golday | SR | 6'4" | 240 | — |
| LB | 2nd | Jonathan Thompson | JR | 6'2" | 230 | ★★★ |
| LB | 3rd | Jack Dingle | SR | 6'4" | 240 | — |
| LB | 4th | Simeon Coleman | SO | 5'11" | 225 | ★★★ |
| LB | 5th | Brian Simms III | SO | 6'3" | 235 | ★★★ |
| LB | 6th | Montay Weedon | SO | 6'0" | 220 | ★★★ |
| LB | 7th | Cincear Lewis | JR | 6'1" | 218 | ★★★ |
| LB | 8th | Ben Blevins | SR | 5'11" | 235 | — |
| LB | 9th | George Leibold | FR | 6'1" | 225 | — |
| LB | 10th | Darrell Gipson | SO | 6'1" | 242 | — |
| LB | 11th | Terrell Holcomb | FR | 6'1" | 220 | ★★★ |
| LB | 12th | Myles Harrison | FR | 6'2" | 227 | ★★★ |
| LB | — | Quinn Staten | SO | 6'1" | 225 | — |
| LB | — | Ronan Casanova | SO | 5'10" | 225 | — |
Defensive Backs · 21
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB | 1st | Logan Wilson | SR | 5'9" | 183 | — |
| CB | 2nd | Matthew McDoom | SR | 5'9" | 180 | — |
| CB | 3rd | Ormanie Arnold | JR | 5'8" | 183 | — |
| CB | 4th | Daniel James | FR | 5'10" | 185 | ★★★ |
| CB | 5th | Stanley Clyne | SO | 6'2" | 180 | — |
| CB | — | Patrick Williams | FR | 5'10" | 168 | — |
| CB | — | Zay Johnson | FR | 6'2" | 175 | ★★★ |
| CB | — | Willie Goodwyn | FR | 5'11" | 185 | — |
| DB | 1st | Jiquan Sanks | SO | 5'10" | 195 | ★★★ |
| DB | 2nd | Antwan Peek Jr. | JR | 6'1" | 214 | — |
| DB | 3rd | Marqavious Saboor | SO | 5'11" | 185 | ★★★ |
| DB | 4th | CJ Crite | FR | 6'1" | 202 | ★★★ |
| DB | — | Landen Schaefer | FR | 6'0" | 195 | — |
| S | 1st | Trevon Gola-Callard | SR | 6'0" | 195 | — |
| S | 2nd | Christian Harrison | JR | 6'0" | 195 | ★★★ |
| S | 3rd | Xavier Williams | SR | 6'2" | 220 | — |
| S | 4th | Tayden Barnes | SO | 5'8" | 185 | — |
| S | 5th | Kye Stokes | JR | 6'1" | 194 | ★★★★ |
| S | 6th | CJ Jones | FR | 5'9" | 190 | — |
| S | — | Jamari Johnson | FR | 5'10" | 170 | ★★★ |
| S | — | Drew Robinson | FR | 6'2" | 195 | — |
Special Teams · 6
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 1st | Eli Stein | JR | 6'3" | 225 | ★★ |
| LS | — | Weston Simmons | SO | 5'11" | 225 | — |
| P | 1st | Max Fletcher | JR | 6'6" | 190 | ★★★ |
| P | — | Dino Beslagic | JR | 6'4" | 207 | — |
| PK | 1st | Stephen Rusnak | SR | 6'0" | 200 | — |
| PK | — | Max Lemasters | SO | 5'6" | 175 | — |
2025 · pct vs FBS
SP+ Off
30.264
Off PPA
+0.3092
Pass PPA
+0.4391
Rush PPA
+0.2388
Success
47%85
Explosive
1.3279
PlayerMedian (50th)percentile vs league
SP+ Trend
points vs avg team
— Overall— Offense— Defense
SP+ = opponent-adjusted points vs an average team. Overall & Offense higher = better; Defense lower = better.
Advanced
2025 · opponent-adjusted PPA / play
| Split | Offense | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | +0.30 | +0.19 |
| Passing | +0.43 | +0.25 |
| Rushing | +0.23 | +0.14 |
| 1st Down | +0.17 | +0.05 |
| 2nd Down | +0.27 | +0.15 |
| 3rd Down | +0.58 | +0.48 |
Scoring Trend
2025 · pts/game
PPG For
31.8
PPG Against
24.8
Differential
+6.9
— Points for— Points against
dots: W / LResults
2025
- Overall
- 7-5
- Home
- 5-2
- Away
- 2-2
- Neutral
- 0-1
- Conference
- 5-4
- Non-Conference
- 2-1
- One-Score (≤8)
- 2-2
- Avg Margin
- +6.9
Situational Splits
2025 · record · pts
| Split | Record | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | |||
| Home | 5-2 | 34.4 | 19.6 |
| Away | 2-2 | 30.8 | 35.3 |
| Neutral | 0-2 | 15.0 | 27.5 |
| Competition | |||
| vs Ranked (SP+ 25) | 0-2 | 14.0 | 35.5 |
| Conference | 5-4 | 28.9 | 28.7 |
| Non-conference | 2-2 | 33.5 | 18.8 |
Season History · last 12
1 AP top-10 · 8 postseason
| Season | Record | Conf | SP+ | AP | Post |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7-5 | 5-4 | #56 | #17 | 0-1 |
| 2024 | 5-7 | 3-6 | #72 | — | — |
| 2023 | 3-9 | 1-8 | #87 | — | — |
| 2022 | 9-3 | 6-2 | #24 | #20 | 0-1 |
| 2021 | 13-0 | 9-0 | #5 | #2 | 0-1 |
| 2020 | 9-0 | 7-0 | #9 | — | 0-1 |
| 2019 | 10-3 | 7-2 | #34 | — | 1-0 |
| 2018 | 10-2 | 6-2 | #49 | — | 1-0 |
| 2017 | 4-8 | 2-6 | #95 | — | — |
| 2016 | 4-8 | 1-7 | #82 | — | — |
| 2015 | 7-5 | 4-4 | #55 | — | 0-1 |
| 2014 | 9-3 | 7-1 | #48 | — | 0-1 |
Recent Form · last 5
0-5 SU · 0-4 ATS · O2/U2
Betting Profile
2025 · 12 w/ line
| Straight up | 7-6 |
| ATS | 6-650% |
| Over / Under | 7-5 O-U |
| — ATS splits — | |
| As favorite | 4-3 |
| As underdog | 2-3 |
| Home | 3-4 |
| Away | 2-2 |
vs closing line · splits show cover–no cover
Recruiting Classes
avg #59 · 9 blue-chip
■ 5★■ 4★■ 3★143 rated signees
| Class | Natl | Pts | 5★ | 4★ | 3★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #61 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2024 | #51 | 197 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023 | #75 | 168 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2022 | #42 | 198 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| 2021 | #42 | 191 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2020 | #40 | 195 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| 2019 | #79 | 158 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2018 | #48 | 193 | 0 | 1 | 22 |
| 2017 | #63 | 168 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2016 | #74 | 153 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
247Sports composite · class rank vs all FBS
Roster Talent
talent #73
Returning prod 79%Departed 21%
Portal in 20net +7Out 13
Talent composite644.1 #73 / 134
Portal avg stars (in / out)3.0 / 2.9
Returning usage (pass / rush / rec)100 / 49 / 78
Notable Portal Moves
| ▲ | Joe Cotton | OT | 4★ | ← South Dakota |
| ▲ | Isaiah Johnson | WR | 3★ | ← Western Carolina |
| ▲ | Jaylon White-McClain | EDGE | 3★ | ← Old Dominion |
| ▲ | Matthew McDoom | CB | 3★ | ← Coastal Carolina |
| ▼ | Tony Johnson | WR | 3★ | → Miami |
| ▼ | Jordan Robinson | CB | 3★ | → Virginia |
| ▼ | Jordan Young | CB | 3★ | → Arkansas |
| ▼ | Tyrin Smith | WR | 3★ | → Texas State |
returning PPA · portal · talent composite · 2025
Injury Report · 0
No injuries reported.
Team News
20 items
- EA Sports CFB 27: Big 12 team ratings and player overallsTexas Tech CB Brice Pollock, Cincinnati G Evan Tengesdahl, Houston G Shadre Hurst tie for Big 12’s top rated player.CIN1d
- Receiver commits to Ohio State over Cincinnati, MinnesotaClass of 2027 wide receiver Jordan Donahoo has committed to Ohio State over Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, and Minnesota.CIN2d
- CFL closes another door for Brendon Sorsby, won't register former Texas Tech QBPlaying in the Canadian Football League was seen as one option for Brendan Sorsby but the league clarified the former Texas Tech QB is not eligible.
- Hoosiers Daily News: Indiana football shows off new-look uniformsIndiana’s updated uniforms, the Brendan Sorsby saga and men’s basketball recruiting analysis in today’s updates.
- Ex-Bearcats coach Kelly to call Mountain West games for CBS | ReportBrian Kelly, who was fired eight games into LSU's 2025 season, reportedly is expected to be part of a broadcast booth doing Mountain West games.CIN5d
- Where can Brendan Sorsby play college football after NFL supplemental draft ruling?With the NFL declining to hold a supplemental draft in 2027, the options for Brendan Sorsby to play football this fall are limited but not impossible.
- NFL tells Brendan Sorsby hard truths he needs to hear: He's not special | OpinionTexas Tech tried to make you see Brendan Sorsby as a victim. The Big 12 didn’t buy it. The NFL didn’t buy it, either.
- Wetzel: NFL's denial of Brendan Sorsby sends the right messageThe NFL sent a powerful reminder to Sorsby and others: Sports wagering can bring significant repercussions.
- Cincinnati Bearcats Football Flips Three-Star 2027 Cornerback From SEC SchoolCincinnati Bearcats Football Flips Three-Star 2027 Cornerback From SEC SchoolCIN6d
- The NFL puts its foot down by denying Brendan Sorsby a supplemental draftThe NFL has done what the NCAA could not: ensure that Brendan Sorsby won't play football this fall.
- Brendan Sorsby could have one long shot option left: Junior College FootballAfter the NFL dealt Brendan Sorsby a devastating setback, his path to professional football appears to lead only to the 2027 NFL Draft. With no supplemental draft scheduled for 2026 and Sorsby no longer part of the Texas Tech Red…
- NFL General Counsel pens definitive rejection to Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility petitionThe NFL General Counsel sent a letter to Brendan Sorsby following the NFL's decision not to hold a Supplemental Draft. The post NFL General Counsel pens definitive rejection to Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility petition appeared first on Saturday Down South.
- What's next for Brendan Sorsby? Options for Texas Tech QB include NFL lawsuit, JUCO football and moreThe NFL denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby a chance to be selected in a supplemental draft.
- NFL declines supplemental draft, leaving Brendan Sorsby ineligible for 2026Brendan Sorsby will not play in the NFL in 2026. The post NFL declines supplemental draft, leaving Brendan Sorsby ineligible for 2026 appeared first on Saturday Down South.
- NFL won't hold 2026 supplemental draft, leaving Brendan Sorsby's future uncertain, reports sayBrendan Sorsby faces an uncertain NFL future after the league reportedly told teams it will not hold a supplemental draft in 2026.
- NFL won't host Supplemental Draft, making Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby ineligible in 2026Brendan Sorsby won't be heading to the NFL in 2026.
- University of Cincinnati disputes agent’s claim the school knew about Brendan Sorsby’s gamblingThe University of Cincinnati athletic department issued a statement Wednesday to dispute a claim from Brendan Sorsby’s agent, who says the school knew about the quarterback’s gambling and didn’t do anything about it.
- Satterfield expects surge of NFL calls after Sorsby says he will apply for supplemental draftScott Satterfield has fielded plenty of questions from NFL teams about Brendan Sorsby, especially after his former quarterback transferred to Texas Tech and information about Sorsby’s gambling addiction became well known.
- Source: Big 12 in no rush to pull lawsuit over Sorsby eligibilityThe Big 12 presidents and chancellors haven't rushed to pull the league's recently filed federal lawsuit because there are still questions about Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's NFL future and any possible legal retribution, a source told ESPN.
- Big 12 post-spring insider intel: QB updates, a 5-star's resurgence, breakout players and moreFrom Brendan Sorsby's replacement at Texas Tech to DJ Lagway's development at Baylor, we've got the scoop on all the biggest offseason developments in the Big 12