Bearcat Bowl IV: New Faces Look to Impress in Cincinnati's Spring Game

The Cincinnati Bearcats' annual spring game will take place tomorrow night under the lights at Nippert Stadium. 

The Red and Black teams will take to the field for what will be fans' first glimpse of the new-look Cincinnati Bearcats under head coach Butch Jones.

For returning starters, the spring game is a chance to improve upon last season and get back on the field against regular competition. 

For those battling for a starting position, the spring game is their biggest opportunity to show the coaching staff they deserve playing time. 

Regular contributors from last season like Armon Binns, J.K. Schaffer, and Jason Kelce all have their spots solidified. Most freshman recruits have yet to arrive on campus, so the focus this spring game will be on position battles, particularly for backup roles. 

For Cincinnati, there are numerous players who saw limited action last season but will play a pivotal role in the team's success this season. One of those players is sophomore running back Darrin Williams.

With the injury to star running back Isaiah Pead earlier in the week, Williams will certainly see ample playing time tomorrow. 

After redshirting his freshman season, Williams saw limited action last season, mostly on special teams, but looks to have a huge impact this season. 

At 5'7" and 180 pounds, Williams adds a different dimension to an already explosive offense. Cincinnati will put him out in the slot, allowing him to run some receiver routes and also catch some screen passes. 

Fans will also have the opportunity to see firsthand highly-touted receivers Vidal Hazelton and Kenbrell Thompkins. Hazelton is locked in a battle with Williams for kick return duties and is also in the mix as a punt returner. 

On the defensive side of the ball, there are many question marks, all beginning up front. Cincinnati was relatively young last season and played with 10 first-year starters. 

The development and maturation of key linemen like Dan Giordano and Brandon Mills will be critical in the Bearcats' hopes for a third straight Big East title. 

It will be interesting to see the cornerback position, as Dominique Battle should make tremendous strides from his sophomore to junior seasons, while sophomore Chris Williams, who was highly recruited out of high school, and redshirt freshman Camerron Cheatham battle for the other starting position.

Fourth-year sophomore safety Drew Frey is also somebody to watch, as he has the potential to develop into a team leader in the secondary over the next three years.

For fans, it is a time to get a taste of what the upcoming season has to offer, and for players, it is their one chance to see real game action before the season begins in September. 

While tomorrow may not seem like a big deal to many players on the Bearcats roster, to some it is the most important day they have had in a Bearcats uniform. 

The Bearcat Bowl is certain to be an exciting time for fans tomorrow. After all, what is better than a little college football in April?