Urban Meyer's Son Nate Joins Luke Fickell, Cincinnati Football as Walk-On WR
May 13, 2020
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 19: Cincinnati Bearcats helmets are seen during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Nippert Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Urban Meyer has remained out of college football since announcing his retirement in December 2018, but his son is carrying on the family legacy.
Nate Meyer joined the Cincinnati football team as a walk-on wide receiver, head coach Luke Fickell confirmed to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel on Wednesday.
Fickell added that he projects Nate to be a special teams player after the 21-year-old sophomore had been a scholarship baseball player at Cincinnati, while Thamel noted that Nate's decision to switch stems from wanting "to better prepare himself for his goal of becoming a college football coach, as he's hoping to follow in his father's footsteps."
Nate was an outfielder for the Bearcats baseball team. He earned AAC All-Academic Team honors and played 22 games as a freshman in 2019. He announced his commitment to Cincinnati in January 2017:
Honored and humbled to say that I have committed to further my academic and athletic career at The University of Cincinnati. Go Bearcats! pic.twitter.com/Bp4kL1XYFp
Per Thamel, Nate was inspired to pursue a career in football coaching after he trained with the Ohio State football team prior to his freshman year.
Urban relayed to Thamel what his son told him in fall 2018: "Dad, I made a decision. I changed my major to psychology like you were and I want to be a football coach. I thought, 'Oh boy.'"
Nate won't be like most walk-ons, as he has known Fickell since he was 12 years old. Fickell is entering his fourth year as Cincinnati's head coach. The program went 4-8 in 2017 before vastly improving to 11-2 in 2018 and 11-3 last season.
Alec Pierce's 652 yards and Josiah Deguara's seven touchdowns led the Bearcats' receiving corps. Pierce will be a junior in 2020, while the Green Bay Packers selected Deguara in the third round of April's NFL draft.
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati Dominate Boston College in 2020 Birmingham Bowl
Jan 2, 2020
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) carries the ball for a touchdown against Boston College during the first half of the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cincinnati ended its season on a high note after a 38-6 victory over Boston College in the 2020 Birmingham Bowl.
Desmond Ridder carried the offense with four total touchdowns on a rainy day at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, helping the team bounce back after consecutive losses to Memphis. The squad jumped out to a 24-0 lead and never looked back while rushing for 343 yards in a blowout victory.
Cincinnati (11-2) ends the year with its second straight 11-win season under Luke Fickell after the head coach took over a 4-8 squad in 2017.
Boston College (6-7) was trying to rally around interim coach Rich Gunnell, who was filling in for the fired Steve Addazio. However, the staff turnaround and the absence of star running back AJ Dillon was too much for the team to overcome.
Incredible timing by Bryan Wright to break through the line at the snap and force a fumble. BC recovered, but that was the senior linebacker's team-leading 11.5 TFL this season.
Bryan Wright was all over the field for the Bearcats defense and was one of the best players on either side of the ball.
Offensively, the passing game wasn't always working, but the team found ways to move the football thanks to the offensive line.
Another touchdown run for Ridder, this one from 14 yards out. #Bearcats immediately capitalize on the turnover, are completely dominating the line of scrimmage.
Desmond Ridder took advantage, rushing for two first-half touchdowns and finishing with 105 yards on the ground. He also got more comfortable as a passer in the second half and ended up leading four total scoring drives of at least 10 plays.
Once Michael Warren II got going alongside him, there was nothing Boston College could do to stop this offense.
The weather could've been enough to slow some teams down, but the Bearcats didn't have any problems Thursday.
Boston College Can't Generate Offense Without AJ Dillon
With 1,880 yards from scrimmage this season, AJ Dillon has twice as many as anyone else on the Eagles. The running back's 15 touchdowns were also seven more than runner-up David Bailey.
This made it an especially big loss when the juniorannouncedlast month he wouldn't compete in the bowl game in preparation for the NFL draft. It's not easy to replace 4,382 career rushing yards, especially after first-string quarterback Anthony Brown went down for the year with a torn ACL in October.
It left the Eagles unable to move the chains and overmatched against Cincinnati.
Cincinnati has looked like a 10-win team that figures if it has to play in a third-tier bowl game it might as well win the damn thing.
BC has looked like a 6-6 team with an interim coach and without its star RB, who decided to sit this one out.
It was a disappointing overall showing as the squad clinched just its second losing season in the last seven years.
Cincinnati's Kyriq McDonald Transported to Hospital After Collapsing vs. OSU
Sep 7, 2019
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 29: Kyriq McDonald #26 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates a defensive play during the game against the UCLA Bruins at Nippert Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bearcats sophomore safety Kyriq McDonald collapsed on the field during Saturday's game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, according to Tom VanHaaren of ESPN, and was taken to the Ohio State University hospital for "precautionary measures."
The entire Cincinnati team and a few Ohio State players gathered around Kyriq McDonald as he was placed on a cart and taken off the field. pic.twitter.com/ZHmXceqRCM
Per that report, McDonald fell to the ground without contact and began convulsing before being attended to by the medical staffs on both teams. He was reacting to an Ohio State player about to attempt to block him on a run play when he fell over.
McDonald's mother told ESPN sideline reporter Allison Williams that he has a history with seizures, though it is unclear if he suffered one on Saturday.
Been noted by several folks that McDonald had a seizure during CFP championship game two seasons ago. He's an Alabama transfer.
McDonald was recruited by Alabama in 2017 and redshirted his first year before playing in 11 games for the Crimson Tide last season, posting seven tackles. He transferred in April and was given animmediate-eligibility waiver by the NCAA, allowing him to play with the Bearcats immediately.
Luke Fickell Says He 'Probably' Has CTE After Boomer Esiason's Comments
Aug 10, 2017
Dec 10, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; University of Cincinnati new head football coach Luke Fickell speaks during a press conference in the Lindner Center on the UC campus. Fickell comes to Cincinnati from a defensive coordinator position at Ohio State University. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/The Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
University of Cincinnati head football coach Luke Fickell acknowledged Thursday there's a likelihood he has chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) stemming from his playing days.
According to Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Fickell said the following in response to former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason expressing his belief that he personally has CTE:
"I probably have it. Who knows? There's a lot of people that didn't play football that probably have it. It's not something I worry about. I've got five young boys that are gonna play the game of football, because I think the benefits far outweigh anything I worry about. I truly believe that."
Esiason said Monday on his radio show, Boomer & Carton (h/t CBS New York), that he and all football players have CTE: "If I died tomorrow and my brain basically was taken and researched and I was found to have CTE, which most likely I have. Because I think all football players probably have it."
Fickell remains in full support of football despite fear regarding CTE, but he said there is a responsibility to lessen risk:
"Now, do we have an obligation to make the game better? Every day we do, in some of the ways in which we tackle and some of the ways in which we practice. I think it’s something that's a little bit hypersensitive right now. It doesn't mean that we aren't aware of it. It doesn't mean we don't credibly use somewhat precaution in the way we do things and the way we practice."
In a recent study published by medical journalJAMA(h/t CNN.com'sDaniella Emanuel), the brains of 202 deceased former football players were examined.
The brains were from those who experienced "exposure to repetitive head trauma," and 177 of them were diagnosed with the disease.
Fickell played four seasons as a nose guard at Ohio State before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 1997 and spending one year with the team.
The 43-year-old was an assistant coach at OSU from 2002 through 2016 and was hired as Cincinnati's head man in December.
4-Star DE Prospect Malik Vann Commits to Cincinnati Bearcats
Apr 18, 2017
The Cincinnati Bearcats scored a huge commitment Tuesday when Malik Vann joined their 2018 class.
Vann is a 4-star prospect who is ranked as the No. 2 defensive end recruit from Ohio and the No. 27 defensive end prospect in the nation, per Scout.com.
A native of Fairfield, Ohio, Vann had Michigan State and Wisconsin high on his list of candidates before choosing to stay close to home.
New Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell is looking to turn things around after the team's win totals declined in each of the last two seasons, going from nine in 2014 to seven in 2015 to four last season under Tommy Tuberville.
The Bearcats didn't have a dominant 2017 recruiting class, ranking 62nd overall, but Scout.com did rate the crop as the best in the American Athletic Conference.
The addition of Vann to the 2018 class put Cincinnati on track to improve that national ranking and stay atop the AAC recruiting rankings. Now, Fickell and his staff need to turn that talent into results on the field.
For more news, rumors and related stories about Malik Vann, Cincinnati Bearcats and College Football, check out the College Football and Cincinnati streams on Bleacher Report's app.
R.J. Potts to Cincinnati: Bearcats Land 4-Star Safety Prospect
Jan 15, 2017
Playmaking defensive back R.J. Potts completed his journey through the recruiting gauntlet Sunday by choosing to play football at Cincinnati.
The safety reported the decision himself on his personal Twitter account:
Potts is a 4-star prospect who registers as the No. 32 overall safety in the 2017 class, according to the Scout rankings. He's also listed as the top incoming safety from Indiana ahead of next season.
Although that's a fair assessment based solely on his safety ability, the Fishers High School star brings a lot more to the table. He's also capable of playing cornerback and may eventually grow into his 6'2" frame, giving the coaching staff the option to play him at outside linebacker as well.
That's not all. Ryan Green of Gridiron Now noted Potts spent some time as an offensive weapon in high school and believes he could make an impact on that side of the ball in college.
"I played offense this year, and a lot of colleges saw that I'm an athlete," Potts said in December. "It doesn't really matter to me where I play, but I'd like to play both sides if I can."
Jordan J. Wilson of the Indianapolis Star showcased a touchdown in which Fishers got Potts the ball in space and let him work some magic:
TOUCHDOWN: Fishers wasted no time after the INT, throwing to RJ Potts on the first play for the first score of the game. #Tigers lead 7-0. pic.twitter.com/mzAFPEz0wx
Ultimately, his combination of range, ball skills and vision makes him an ideal safety, and that's likely where he'll spend most of his time in college. But there's nothing wrong with keeping his options open since he's displayed terrific versatility. It gives him more routes to playing time.
He represents a nice addition late in the recruiting season for the Bearcats. Not only is he the first 4-star recruit in the incoming class, but he's also somebody capable of making a quick impact, and his ability to fill various roles should come in handy over the next four years.
Now the question is how soon Potts may find himself earning meaningful in-game reps at Cincinnati. The team returns a lot of contributors in the secondary from last season, so it probably won't happen immediately, but his talent might be difficult to keep off the field for too long.
Luke Fickell to Cincinnati: Latest Contract Details and Reaction
Dec 10, 2016
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive Coordinator Luke Fickell of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches his team play against the California Golden Bears at Ohio Stadium on September 15, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Bearcats wasted no time finding their next head coach, tapping Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell as the next man to lead the program.
Cincinnati announced the move on Saturday. Barrett Sallee of Bleacher Report provided a statement from the team:
Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com initially reported Fickell and Cincinnati agreed to a deal. Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel, citing a source, reported on Sunday that "Fickell's contract with Cincinnati averages $2.3 million for six years. Buyout is $3.5 million. Goes down by $500,000 annually."
Cincinnati said Fickell will continue to serve as Ohio State's defensive coordinator through their playoff run, per Tim Shoemaker of Eleven Warriors. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer spoke about Fickell joining Cincinnati, per Matt Fortuna of ESPN:
Fickell may not be the only person from Columbus joining the Bearcats, as Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Ohio State cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs could join Fickell's staff as defensive coordinator.
Cincinnati is coming off a 4-8 season, the program's worst record since 2010. Last Sunday, Tommy Tuberville released a statement announcing his resignation as head coach, via the school's official athletics website:
After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down and resign from my position here at the University of Cincinnati. I want to thank the board of trustees, the administration, the fans and the University for these last four years. I also want to thank our coaches, staff and anyone associated within our athletic department. Most of all, I will miss these players but know these young men will turn out to be outstanding leaders in the world and for me that is what it's all about.
The Bearcats took a step back during Tuberville's four years at the helm. Cincinnati won 10 games each of the previous two years before his arrival, including consecutive bowl wins in 2011 and 2012. Under Tuberville, it posted a disappointing 29-22 record and lost all three of its bowl appearances.
Fickell has been with Ohio State since 2002. He served as interim head coach in 2011 following Jim Tressel's resignation, and the Buckeyes posted a 6-7 season. Because of what was happening with the program at the time, though, it would be unfair to blame those struggles on him.
Regarding his long stint with the Buckeyes, Fickell told Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com he's had an interesting relationship with the program:
Being here is a blessing and a curse. It's the greatest thing that has happened to my family. It's been stable and you made great memories. The curse is it hasn't pushed you to go do some of these other things.
If you're at a place that is not this tradition-rich, where you don't have these roots, maybe it's different. But I'm in an incredible place, so you think we don't have to go.
It will take time to rebuild the Bearcats following their recent decline, but Fickell comes from one of the nation's top programs and has worked with one of the best recruiters in Meyer since 2012.
Also, he's only 43, hardly an old man in coaching circles, and knows the state probably as well as any football coach. His extensive resume likely made this an easy choice for the Bearcats.
Tommy Tuberville Resigns as Cincinnati Head Coach: Latest Details and Reaction
Dec 4, 2016
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Tommy Tuberville of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on from the sideline against the Central Florida Knights during the game at Bright House Networks Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Central Florida defeated Cincinnati 24-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
"After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down and resign from my position here at the University of Cincinnati," Tuberville said. "I want to thank the board of trustees, the administration, the fans and the University for these last four years. I also want to thank our coaches, staff and anyone associated within our athletic department. Most of all, I will miss these players but know these young men will turn out to be outstanding leaders in the world and for me that is what it’s all about. I am not done coaching and I look forward to my next challenge. Go Bearcats!"
Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports and Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated first reported Tuberville's decision.
Tuberville, 62, took over as Cincinnati's head coach in 2013 and led the team to a 29-22 record and bowl appearances in his first three seasons. After going 9-4 in each of his first two campaigns, though, the Bearcats finished a disappointing 7-6 last year and went 4-8 this year, rendering them ineligible for a berth in a bowl game.
The Bearcats also finished just 1-7 in American Athletic Conference play this year and lost five straight games to close the campaign.
As Thamel noted, Cincinnati's down year may have ramifications beyond this season:
The program's momentum stalled at a critical time for the university, as Cincinnati has ambitions to jump into a Power 5 conference. The Bearcats were considered to be among the frontrunners if the Big 12 expanded this season, but the league decided to stay at 10 teams, leaving Cincinnati as one of the top available programs outside of the power conferences.
The Cincinnati job is considered among the most attractive in the Group of Five because of its location, recruiting base and support from a university interested in making a jump.
Cincinnati was Tuberville's fourth head coaching gig at the college level, as he also spent time at Mississippi (1995-98), Auburn (1999-2008) and Texas Tech (2010-12). He led his teams to 15 bowl appearances and won the Paul "Bear" Bryant and Walter Camp Coach of the Year Awards in 2004 when he led Auburn to a No. 2 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
Dan Wolken of USA Today speculated Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm, Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck, Troy coach Neal Brown, Appalachian State coach Scott Satterfield and Ohio State cornerbacks/special teams coach Kerry Coombs—a former Cincinnati assistant—may all be in the running to replace Tuberville.
Thamel added Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell and co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner to the list of candidates.
Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports also noted the "accelerated timing" of Tuberville's resignation allows Cincinnati to enter the "sweepstakes" for Brohm.
Certainly, the Bearcats will look to make a splashy hire given the program's Power Five aspirations.
Gunner Kiel Reportedly Will Miss Hawaii Bowl Due to Personal Matter
Dec 17, 2015
Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel (11) throws a pass against South Florida during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
As the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare for their Christmas Eve game against San Diego State in the Hawaii Bowl, quarterback Gunner Kiel will not be with the team.
Per Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville said Thursday that Kiel is "dealing with a personal matter" and will not travel with the team to Hawaii.
Groeschen added Cincinnati will start Hayden Moore at quarterback vs. San Diego State, and Kiel is still a part of the team, though Tuberville is "unsure" when Kiel will return.
In Groeschen's full story on Cincinnati.com, he noted Kiel has been away from the team during practices all week. The specifics of his absence aren't known, but a university source told Groeschen it "is not a legal or disciplinary matter..."
Kiel, who is a fourth-year junior, has been the Bearcats starting quarterback for the past two seasons. He completed a career-high 65.2 percent of his passes in 2015 for 2,777 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 10 games.
Moore had a successful three-game stint as Cincinnati's quarterback when Kiel got hurt early in a Sept. 24 game against Memphis. The freshman threw for 1,055 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions as the starter.
Kiel's college career began with a lot of hype, as he was the top-ranked pro-style quarterback coming out of high school by 247Sports and originally committed to Notre Dame. He transferred to Cincinnati in 2013, sitting out a season due to NCAA rules before becoming the team's starting quarterback.
The Bearcats have won 16 games combined over the past two seasons, making bowl appearances both years with Kiel leading the offense.
Kiel's natural ability gives Cincinnati tremendous offensive capability, though Moore's performance in limited action this season proves the Bearcats can thrive in the Hawaii on Dec. 24.
