Scott Satterfield pleased with Cincinnati Bearcats spring football practice, portal plans (2025)

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats football team put in 15 practice sessions running from March 6-April 18. In that time, some players from last season blossomed, new transfers made an impact and some elected to find their life's work elsewhere.

The transfer portal for college football opened April 16 and the roller coaster brakes aren't activated until Friday, April 25. Even then, once a player is in the portal negotiations can take place. In 2025, player development can be just a matter of months.

Still, UC head coach Scott Satterfield seemed happy with his team's progress this spring, though realistically he, general manager Zach Grant and the recruiting staff will have their phones attached to them in the next weeks as they look to improve the squad. "Next man up" mentality and an open mind are prerequisites in the coaching business.

"These next couple weeks are interesting," Satterfield said. "I like where we're at team-wise. Maybe we'll have a surprise or two, we'll see. We're going to bring some guys in here in the next week and see which ones stick."

Scott Satterfield pleased with Cincinnati Bearcats spring football practice, portal plans (1)

On last day of practice, UC's top touchdown catcher departs

The Bearcats bolstered their receiving room by adding Cyrus Allen from Texas A&M, Noah Jennings from Charleston Southern, Jeff Caldwell from Lindenwood University, and Caleb Goodie from Colorado State in addition to the young depth they already have.

Perhaps that got the attention of redshirt senior Tony Johnson who hit the portal before practice. Johnson caught six of quarterback Brendan Sorsby's touchdown passes last season.

"We've got guys," Satterfield said. "It's part of the world we're in right now. Certainly (there are) no hard feelings for anybody that feels like they need to go to another school and do what's best for them. I feel like we're going to get the guys we need to get to go out and compete for a Big 12 championship. We've got a lot of players right here that have the right stuff."

Scott Satterfield pleased with Cincinnati Bearcats spring football practice, portal plans (2)

UC receiver cupboard is far from bare with new arrivals

The biggest impact receiver watching practice was the 6-foot-5 former FCS receiver from Lindenwood, Caldwell. He went from being a 5-foot-8 soccer-playing junior to being direct messaged on social media by UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

Other UC notable newbies

The departures of defensive backs Ken Willis and Jordan Robinson late in the transfer portal are offset by the addition of several transfers. Defensive back Matthew McDoom comes from Coastal Carolina with an ESPN SportsCenter surname. Safety Tayden Barnes from New Mexico State had the defensive play of the Skyline Chili Spring Showcase. Xavier Williams is a former Charlotte and UCF quarterback who became Middle Tennessee State's top tackler at safety last season.

Defensive back Christian Harrison played for Tennessee in last December's playoff game at Ohio State against current teammate and tight end Patrick Gurd.

"He was very solid all spring," Satterfield said of Harrison. "He's a really good football player. He can play multiple positions, probably all three safety spots. He's just got a knack for playing ball. He's very savvy and plays with great poise."

The transfers added to the improvement of Kye Stokes, Logan Wilson, Ormanie Arnold, Antwan Peek Jr. and others soften the blow of the current departures.

Scott Satterfield pleased with Cincinnati Bearcats spring football practice, portal plans (4)

Will backup UC QB Jones see field?

Redshirt freshman Samaj Jones has the best arm on the team and may be the most elusive scrambler from behind center. Right now, he waits behind Brendan Sorsby.

"Right now it comes down to proper decision-making," Satterfield said. "He's got the talent for the throws, he can certainly run and operate our offense. It comes down to taking what the defense gives them. Any young player, that's going to be the case. I'm looking forward to opportunities this fall to get (him) in the game and see what he can do. I think for him, his best football will be when he's playing in a game."

Scott Satterfield pleased with Cincinnati Bearcats spring football practice, portal plans (5)

UC's Walker is quite a runner

Evan Pryor was UC's "home run hitter" last season, Manny Covey showed explosiveness vs. Texas Tech and Chance Williams had the best runs of the spring scrimmage.

But, a key pickup to help replace the loss of back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Corey Kiner was Tawee Walker who ran for 864 yards and 10 touchdowns for Wisconsin last season.

"He had a great spring," Satterfield said. "I thought he was going to be a really good back, but he did some things that I thought, 'Wow!'. He had some long runs where I didn't know he could do that. He broke some tackles, he's got great hands. He's one that certainly kind of turned our heads a little bit."

One UC Bearcats player pays no more

A former walk-on himself at Appalachian State, Satterfield took great pleasure at the end of the last practice to reward a UC walk-on.

With players often leaving for money, Satterfield said he felt emotional rewarding redshirt junior defensive end Drew Logan from North Canton a scholarship.

"I wanted to let everybody know that some of the guys are making money out here, but here's a guy that he don't make a dime and now he's going to get his school paid for," Satterfield said. "He's very well-respected."

Can new UC kicker continue to be 'Mr. Perfect'?

Charlotte transfer Stephen Rusnak made all 11 of his field goals and all of his extra points last season for the 49ers. Before that, he spent three seasons at Michigan State making eight-of-nine extra points with one missed field goal as a reserve.

Rusnak did miss some shots in practice but nailed 47 and 49-yard field goals in the spring scrimmage.

"He had a very solid spring," Satterfield said. "We've got to get more consistent in the snap game, as for as the short snaps go. But, when he got the good snaps, he knocked'em down. It was great to see the spring game when he had people out here, he knocked those down. He's a very poised guy. He doesn't get rattled. That's a great attribute to have as a kicker."

UC quickly adds top-rated tackle, linebacker shortly after practice ends

Friday evening, the Bearcats added to their offensive line as 6-foot-7, 315-pound South Dakota tackle Joe Cotton committed on his visit to campus.

Cotton was the top available offensive tackle according to 247Sports which gave him a four-star ranking as a transfer. Cotton had visits scheduled at UC, Wisconsin and Oklahoma and a long line of suitors after being a mainstay for the Coyotes.

Before that and just minutes after the Bearcats cleared the Nippert Stadium field, UC got a commitment from Idaho State linebacker Darrell Gipson Jr.

Gipson is a 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker/edge who had 21 tackles for the Bengals as a true freshman. He was rated a three-star prospect out of Timberline High School in Washington where he had some noteworthy senior stats: 106 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, five sacks, nine pass break-ups, two interceptions (one pick-six), three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four blocked field goals.

What's ahead for Cincinnati Bearcats football?

There's likely more portal news as sure as the sun rises and sets. Summer/fall camp will begin in August with plenty of individual work in between. UC opens the season in Kansas City on Thursday, Aug. 28, against Nebraska at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and has a home schedule that features seven home games: Bowling Green (Sept. 6), Northwestern State (Sept. 13), Iowa State (Oct. 4), UCF (Oct. 11), Baylor (Oct. 25), Arizona (Nov. 15) and BYU (Nov. 22).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What's next for Cincinnati Bearcats football after 15 spring sessions?