Cincinnati Football Recruiting 2012: Who Could Start, Who Gets Lost in the Mix

Replacing 11 starters is never an easy thing to do, and the University of Cincinnati will need some of their recruits to step into starting roles and help fill the void.

There are some solid recruits committed who have the chance to see immediate playing time for Cincinnati, and there are players who could get lost in the mix due to their position and the talent currently on the team.

Here are a few players who will see immediate playing time and some who may get lost in the mix next season and in the years to come.

Linebacker Kenneth Bynum, out of Jacksonville, Florida, is one of seven linebackers currently committed in the 2012 class and may just be the best of the bunch.

With the departure of J.K. Schaffer, Cincinnati will have to replace a three-year starter and team leader.

While sophomore Nick Temple is slated to step into the starting role, Bynum is likely to have a chance to get some immediate playing time as the third linebacker in 2012—much like Temple did in 2011.

Nathan Cole, out of Memphis, Tennessee, is the highest-rated wide-receiver recruit committed to Cincinnati, according to Rivals.com, and will be counted on heavily next season.

The departure of D.J. Woods leaves Cincinnati with an opening at wide receiver. While it is likely to be filled by sophomore Alex Chisum, Cole could see playing time as the No. 4 receiver, which is similar to what Chisum did last season as a true freshman.

Cole is rated one of the Top 65 receivers on Rivals.com and is one of the best recruits in the entire Cincinnati Bearcats class.

It is often rare to find an offensive lineman who gets playing time as a true freshman, but Caleb Stacey has the potential to see some in 2012.

The local product, who recently changed his commitment from Michigan to Cincinnati, will help fill the biggest void on the roster that was left by three graduating offensive linemen, including guard Randy Martinez.

There are linemen already on the roster ready to step in, but Stacey has an outside shot to see some immediate playing time next season at the guard position.

Even though Isaiah Pead is gone, Cincinnati is still deep and loaded at the running-back position.

Deionte Buckley, out of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, is one of the most talented recruits in the 2012 class. But, due to the depth at running back, he may have difficulty breaking into the rotation.

Senior George Winn is likely to be the starter, and last year's top recruit, Jameel Poteat, will also be in the mix.

Akise Teague and Ralph David Abernathy IV also return, and top recruit Dennis Norfleet is also a running back, as well as three other recruits.

Needless to say, Buckley could easily get lost in the mix.

Zach Collaros is now departed, and junior Munchie Legaux will step into the starting role at the quarterback position.

Trenton Norvell is one of two quarterback recruits, but is not nearly as highly thought of as fellow freshman quarterback Bennie Coney.

Both are likely to redshirt with three returning quarterbacks ahead of them, as well as last year's recruits. If Norvell does not beat out Coney a few years down the road, it is unlikely he will ever see meaningful action, barring an injury.