Nsd '24

[Bearcat93]

For what it's worth, here's what I see happening, as it's already happening today. TV markets - along with brand/quality of play - will drive an expanded B10 and SEC Saturday NFL-type league. The B10 & SEC conferences to date actually don't need that much more expansion, but they'll take what they (& Disney) believe will augment their financial position & ability to fund increased NIL salaries for players. Off the top of my head, those schools to invite could look something like: SMU, Cal, BC, Houston, AZ &/or AZ St, USF, Miami, UCF, Pitt, UNC, San Diego St, KS and/or K St. Whether or not they punt Purdon't, IU and few others, TBD, but this would get the league to somewhere between 35-50 teams, which exceeds the pro model of 32 teams, which no pro league surpasses for a number of reasons. While UC is just outside the top 30 media market, our brand is not great at the moment, which is why every year Scott runs the program into the ground is really important. Just my .02.

[red_n_black_attack]

$ + better conferences-I think it’s safe to say if you’re one of the top 30 players in the country, you’d ideally like to play in the best league(s). I still have a strong belief that the next round of conference realignment has UC and the B12 on the outside looking in.

I disagree. We may see 4 18-20 team divisions that beat each other up, no G5 or FCS schools on the schedule. The sticking point is the Super League will need to have revenue sharing similar to the NFL or it is a failed concept. The Super LEague would need to control the tv dollars, and he schedules and the Big 10/SEC are shaking their heads yes in understanding, while theire arms are crossed with a big frown on their faces. The really big time blue chip programs don't want a 4-5 loss season to be the best anyone can do, so they will have to give up some money or share it with ACC/Big 12 in order to be able to play different teams so they can have a max 1 loss before any playoffs. The P4 ADs and commissioners like further shutting out the G5 schols, and are looking at this as a way to save non-profitable Olympic sports. In the end I think most of the current P4 teams are in, plus 2-4 G5 schools like Boise, SDSU, maybe UNLV/Nevada, New Mexico, or Wyoming. No insider info, just reading the tea leaves

[swilsonsp4]

The hashtag to follow on Twitter for NSD is #N2TIBOY5

Patrick Williams, Demari Witherspoon, Terrell Holcomb, Zach Taylor, CJ Jones, CD McFee, Ka'Maurri Smith, Jeremiah Kelly, James Early, Zeb Kinsey have all signed as of 9:30am

Jeremiah Kelly made a huge play tonight in the OH D2 championship game tonight. Avon beat Anderson 20-13 after Kelly blew up a 4th and goal play and made the tackle in the backfield. He played both ways for the Eagles, but will be an O-lineman here.

[Bearcat93]

In football, I don’t have the same concern about lack of 4-5 stars. UC has turned many 3*’s into strong performers.

[Bearcat93]

Of the 32 5*-rated prospects, 31 signed with either the B1G or SEC. The other went to FSU. Money talks.

$ + better conferences-I think it’s safe to say if you’re one of the top 30 players in the country, you’d ideally like to play in the best league(s). I still have a strong belief that the next round of conference realignment has UC and the B12 on the outside looking in.

[red_n_black_attack]

Of the 32 5*-rated prospects, 31 signed with either the B1G or SEC. The other went to FSU. Money talks.

With around 12-1500 high school recruits signed, only 32 being 5 star is a bit misleading. It's the same for basketball where only 20-25 players are 5 start out of 6-700 recruits.

[swilsonsp4]

UC is the only school without a four star commit. No 5 stars committed to any BigXII school.

Of the 32 5*-rated prospects, 31 signed with either the B1G or SEC. The other went to FSU. Money talks.

[Lobot]

We picked up an extra commit. Will post in a bit

Jamari Johnson ,DB from Birmingham

[Lobot]

On3 is worse.

https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/indu...ference=big-12

Rivals pretty much matches 247.

https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2...all/recruiting


In any case, we have one of the lowest ranked classes in the Big XII as well as one of the lowest ranked P4 classes. We're recruiting at about the same level as Pre-Fickell UC. It's not like the staff can't evaluate talent. It's just that when we do and land a commitment, bigger schools come in with NIL and poach them. We had same issue with flips and de-committing players during the Tuberville era.

The Sheakley Building should help but it feels like the Satterfield staff is losing momentum before we can get it opened up.

[bearcatbret]

CSS discusses the current class and then mentions the portal. Cincinnati Inks 19 High School Signees - University of Cincinnati Athletics

[leo from jersey]

Two great answers.

[red_n_black_attack]

Given that rosters are built with both HS recruiting and Portal Recruiting success, I'll hold judgment and hope we get a few disgruntled guys from the Blue Chip schools who aren't getting playing time. I like the focus on getting tall and good size, especially in the trenches.

Also consider two things, there's not a lot of difference between 4 star and 3 star recruits, so getting them into the Monster Factory and player development will be huge. Second, the biggest difference in star ratings is the destination, or at least the schools interested. Player A could have all of the same NFL combine type metrics as Player B, and get a 3 star rating going to a lesser known school where Player B picks up an offer from Bama/Michigan/Oh St and is bumped to 4 stars.

I have stopped defending Satt as the answer (wish we could make the change tomorrow), but I have a strong desire for him to prove me wrong only because he holds the reins right now. UC is and always has been a school that gets success by recruiting guys that are a step slower or an inch shorter, then developing them (both speed/strength and on the field reacting). I cannot be too upset we get 19-20 guys with 3 star ratings, because we all know the NIL (pay-4-play) isn't there to buy the 5-star guys. Satt won't hold the reins if the wins don't start coming, and this year was more about players getting/losing momentum. Once Pitt made that 4th quarter comeback, this season was doomed. The sense of oh no, here we go again was just as evident with the players as it was with the fans. Hold onto the Pitt victory and this season probably turns out different. I lay the blame for that Pitt vicotry and the ensuing mental collapse it caused in subsequent games directly on the head coach.

[London 'Cat]

How do you see the Cats improving. Will the new building help? It helped get our current HC? Will more NIL money paid, but where is that coming from. I would say recent wins, but UC was in the playoffs a few years ago. Folks talk about recruiting locally? How do they get them to stay. Was UC lucky with Fick & Freeman who could convince locals? I sure would hate to go into another losing era. London -- what are your thoughts.

Jahmari DeLoatch to Virginia Tech: Hokies get a talented four-star prospect after flipping him from Cincinnati, to which DeLoatch had been committed since mid-June. -- How did CSS let this one get away?

The new building has to help somewhat. It will be a first rate facility that should attract recruits but only if they are undecided between UC and another school. Of course more NIL money will help, again assuming everything else is equal. Fickell/Freeman had established those local relationships, and now the continue to use them at their current schools. It will take time to develop those relationships, if they develop at all. In the end, winning is the key. Unless CSS turns the direction of the program around soon, this will become a worse problem each year. Because the bottom line is the player needs to believe in the coaching staff that he can grown and develop while at UC. Does CSS and his staff provide that assurance to recruits? I don't know but it seems the HS recruits are not sold yet. They have had moderate success with the transfer portal however, so maybe that is where they will pick up higher rated recruits.

[leo from jersey]

UC is the only school without a four star commit. No 5 stars committed to any BigXII school.

How do you see the Cats improving. Will the new building help? It helped get our current HC? Will more NIL money paid, but where is that coming from. I would say recent wins, but UC was in the playoffs a few years ago. Folks talk about recruiting locally? How do they get them to stay. Was UC lucky with Fick & Freeman who could convince locals? I sure would hate to go into another losing era. London -- what are your thoughts.

Jahmari DeLoatch to Virginia Tech: Hokies get a talented four-star prospect after flipping him from Cincinnati, to which DeLoatch had been committed since mid-June. -- How did CSS let this one get away?

[London 'Cat]

I realize we have to take these rankings with a grain of salt...and player development is important, but this is 2 years in a row we're nearer the bottom than the top in the BIG12
https://247sports.com/season/2025-fo...rence=Big%2012

UC is the only school without a four star commit. No 5 stars committed to any BigXII school.