By Jeff Sanderson
Cincinnati Bearkats
2015 Record: 7-6(4-5) 7th in American Conference
2015 Bowl Result: Beat San Diego State
Head Coach: Tom Herman (7-6 Career, 7-6 @ Cincinnati)
Offensive Coordinator: Eddie Gran
Defensive Coordinator: Art Kaufman
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Base Defense: 4-3
GUNNER KIEL HOPES TO CUT DOWN ON INTERCEPTIONS AFTER THROWING 15 IN 2015
Cincinnati gave up 363 points on defense last season and they may have a hard time matching that number this season. The defensive line is a concern outside of sophomore tackle Serge Carter. Senior Ey'Shawn McClain leads the linebacking corps. Safeties Derek Cox and Andre Jones are solid on the back end. Overall the team has a number of question marks on defense but the offense should be able to put up a fair amount of points and push the team to a successful 2016 season.
2016 Schedule
08/27/16 @ Indiana
09/07/16 SMU
09/17/16 Miami (OH)
10/01/16 Tulsa
10/08/16 @ Tulane
10/15/16 USF
10/22/16 @ Connecticut
10/29/16 Temple
11/05/16 @ UCF
11/12/16 BYU
11/19/16 @ Navy
11/26/16 @ ECU
Impact Players
QB Gunner Kiel
2015 Stats: 3,132Yds 32TD 15Int, 550RYds 2RTD
TE D.J. Dowdy
2015 Stats: 33Rec 454Yds 5TD
SS Derek Cox
2015 Stats: 41Tkl, 5TFL, 1.0Sck, 1Int
OLB Ey'Shawn McClain
2015 Stats: 47Tkl, 16TFL, 5.5Sck, 3Int
Projected Starters
*Starter projections are based on last season and our own spring practice observations, in most cases information has not been provided by the team*
Offense
QB Gunner Kiel - SR
RB Deionte Buckley - SR
WR Erik Carter - JR
WR Nate Cole - SR
WR Mark Barr - JR
TE D. J. Dowdy - SR
LT Ricky Miller - JR
LG Deyshawn Bond - SR
C Josh Martinez - JR
RG Kyle Williamson - SR
RT Brandon Salas - SO
Defense
LE Jeremy Miller - JR
RE Mark Wilson - JR
DT Serge Carter - SO
DT Tim Barnes - JR
LOLB Rasheen Jones - JR
MLB Calvin Miller - FR
ROLB Ey'Shawn McClain - SR
CB Zach Edwards - JR
CB Drake Bruns - SR
CB Mike Tyson - SR
FS Andre Jones - SR
SS Derek Cox - SR
Specialists
K Antoine Hunter - SO
P Robert Clemens - SO
KR E.J. Junior - SR
KR Nate Cole - SR
PR E. J. Junior - SR
Freshman to Watch
LB Calvin Miller
Miller looks to have won the starting middle linebacker job out of spring practice. The true freshman has solid speed and agility and is a good enough tackler. The coaching staff feels like he will pick things up quickly. Expect a somewhat short leash as the team has other more experienced linebackers waiting in the wings.
2016 Projection
3rd in American Conference, 2nd in East Division