Cincinnati Football Recruiting: 5 Positions the Bearcats Do Not Have to Fill

With any recruiting class, there is always an emphasis on certain positions.

For Cincinnati, while they lost important players at every position, there are certain spots where they are deep enough that they can live without signing big recruits this year. 

The depth they have amassed at these positions means they do not need as many recruits at those spots.

That does not mean that they will not sign the players if they are there for the taking.

Here are five positions Cincinnati can afford to not fill in their 2012 recruiting class. 

Wide receiver has been the deepest position for Cincinnati over the past few years and 2012 will be no different.

Junior Anthony McClung led Cincinnati in all receiving categories and will return along with fellow starter and senior Kenbrell Thompkins.

Alex Chisum, who received ample playing time last year as a true freshman, will likely step into the starting role in 2012.

The depth at reserve is also great with Shaq Washington who will be entering his second season in the program. Dyjuan Lewis, who was a big time recruit in 2010, will be called upon to contribute in his third season.

Needless to say Cincinnati is very deep at receiver and already has commitments from some talented receivers, which will make them even deeper. 

Cincinnati is young and talented at cornerback.

They currently have a few commitments from defensive backs, but will have more coming back at this position than anywhere else on the field.

Dominique Battle will return to his starting role after missing each of the past two seasons with knee injuries. Fellow cornerback Camerron Cheatham will be back for his senior season.

Deven Drane, who started in place of Battle last year, is only a junior and Reuben Johnson will also return at corner.

The 2011 recruiting class featured two linebackers who are looking like future starters for Cincinnati.

True freshman Nick Temple eventually stepped into a starting role at the end of last season and fellow freshman Dwight Jackson will also be counted on next year.

Maalik Bomar will be back for his third season as a starter and Solomon Tentman will also be counted on as a backup.

The youth and depth is certainly there at linebacker for Cincinnati.

While Cincinnati did lose star running back Isaiah Pead, there is a lot of depth there that will help them forget about Pead.

Even though they have depth, the two biggest recruits in the 2012 class are both running backs who will have to fight for playing time.

George Winn is likely to be the starter entering his senior season.

Sophomore Jameel Poteat, who was the biggest recruit in the 2011 class will see a lot of action next year.

Fellow members of the 2011 class Akise Teague and Ralph David Abernathy IV will also see playing time next year.

Zach Collaros is now gone, but there is a lot behind him that will return for the next few seasons.

Munchie Leagux is going to be the starter for the next two seasons and has shown glimpses of the ability to become a star in the next two years.

Jordan Luallen, who will be entering his junior year, will likely be the backup and Brendon Kay is slated to be the third stringer as a senior.

There is also depth down the line with younger players in both the freshman and sophomore classes.