Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Early Enrollees Join in for Spring Practice

The University of Cincinnati football team had their first week of spring practice earlier in the month and have now parted for spring break. They will resume practice April 3 and it will all conclude with Bearcat Bowl VI on April 14 at Nippert Stadium.

For nine Bearcats early enrollees, they have the opportunity to get a jump start on practice. These nine freshmen graduated high school early and enrolled at Cincinnati for the winter quarter at the beginning of January.

Among the freshmen is running back Deionte Buckley out of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. Buckley is as highly touted as any recruit in the Cincinnati class and has an outside shot to step in and earn immediate playing time next season.

Another of the freshmen already in camp is Bennie Coney. Coney is a highly regarded dual-threat quarterback out of Plant City, FL. Even though Coney will likely redshirt in 2012, getting him into the program will certainly be beneficial down the road.

Perhaps the most interesting of any of the players is Marcus Foster from Troy, OH. Foster is an athlete who has the talents to play a number of different positions at the college level, but may be best suited for the secondary, particularly safety.

The extra time for a guy like Foster will give the Cincinnati coaching staff extra time to help him find his position and get him working with that group.

Another of the freshmen to look at early in the spring is Errol Clarke, a linebacker out of Miami, FL. He has some growing and developing to do, but could see the field at some point next season.

While the nine players will not necessarily see more playing time than the other freshmen coming in, they are certainly getting a head start on the guys they will be competing against for playing time, and that never hurts.