Cincinnati Bearcats Football: 5 Players Ready to Step into Starting Roles
For a team that returns 18 starters from last season's team, and virtually everyone on the defensive side of the ball, it may not seem possible to have five new starters in the lineup.
But the Cincinnati Bearcats are going to need to see some fresh faces on the field if they plan to improve, particularly on defense.
Here are five new starters for the Bearcats whose names you may get used to hearing next season. .
5. Sean Hooey, Offensive Tackle
Sean Hooey is a big boy. At 6'9" and 300 pounds, he has the size to play at any level.
Hooey will be a junior next season and will be asked to step into a starting role on the offensive line due to the departures of Jason Kelce and Samuel Griffin.
Hooey will have some big shoes to fill, though, and will be one of the most important starters on offense next season.
Quarterback Zach Collaros was often seen running for his life last year, and that will have to change in order for Cincinnati to be successful next year.
4. Nick Temple, Linebacker
With all 11 starters returning on the defensive side of the ball, there is still one opening for a new starter.
The move of Walter Stewart to defensive end from linebacker has created a starting spot that is completely up for grabs.
True freshmen Nick Temple and Dwight Jackson are perhaps the leading candidates.
Temple is rated one of the top 40 outside linebackers in the country and could find himself starting in the season opener.
Redshirt freshman Solomon Tentman, who tore his ACL before the season began last year, will also be in the mix if he can come back healthy.
3. Austen Bujnoch, Offensive Guard
Austen Bujnoch will be the first player given the opportunity to fill the other starting spot on the offensive line.
The redshirt sophomore saw very limited action last season; but at 6'5" and 280 pounds, he has good size for an offensive guard.
Bujnoch will try to fill the shoes of NFL draft pick Jason Kelce and will be an integral part of the Cincinnati offense next season.
2. Travis Kelce, Tight End
Tight end had one of the biggest battles for a starting spot in the spring, and that battle will continue into the summer.
The three contenders to replace former starter Ben Guidugli are senior Adrien Robinson, junior Travis Kelce and sophomore Blake Annen.
Right now Kelce is the front-runner.
After being suspended for the entire year last in 2010 for violating team rules, Kelce will be a huge weapon for Cincinnati in 2011.
As a freshman in 2009 he took snaps in the 'wildcat' offense and had great success. At 6'6" and 252 pounds he has the size and skill level to be a factor for Cincinnati next season.
Expect to see him in many formations, high-stepping into the end zone on more than a few occasions.
1. Kenbrell Thompkins, Wide Receiver
Kenbrell Thompkins may be one of the most talented players on the Cincinnati roster.
After being ruled ineligible last season because Tennessee would not release him from his scholarship, Thompkins was hampered by a hamstring injury, and saw limited action in the spring.
Still, many of his teammates said he was the best player on the practice field last season.
Thompkins is a strong, physical receiver who will step into the starting role left by the departed Armon Binns.
Quarterback Zach Collaros loves big targets, and at 6'3" and 190 pounds, Thompkins fits that mold.
He will certainly be a go-to player for Cincinnati in 2011.