Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Key Battles at Skill Positions in Spring Practice

With spring practice now back in gear, there are some position battles that are taking place at the skill positions for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

While Munchie Legaux is likely to be the starter at the quarterback position, head coach Butch Jones has moved backup quarterback Jordan Luallen to a slot wide receiver spot.

Luallen is a junior transfer from Georgia Tech who saw action last season in mop-up situations and when Zach Collaros went down with an injury.

He only threw four passes, completing two of them for 10 yards, but did carry the ball 22 times for 135 yards using the Wildcat formation. He was the perfect change of pace quarterback to throw defenses off.

Now he is getting time in the slot and has a chance to see some playing time there with former slot receiver D.J. Woods now having moved on.

Junior Anthony McClung and sophomore Kenbrell Thompkins basically have two of the three spots locked up with sophomore Alex Chisum the most likely candidate to take the third spot.

If Luallen continues to progress at receiver, he will still likely be slotted as the backup quarterback, but if Jones decides to go in another direction for his backup, fifth-year senior Brendon Kay will be the likely choice. Kay has been pushing Legaux for reps so far this spring. 

The running back position is also a spot that is up for grabs with Isaiah Pead moving on to the NFL.

Fifth-year senior George Winn is the early favorite to earn the starting nod and has been impressive so far both on and off the field with the leadership he has shown.

Winn is certainly going to be pushed by a few guys, including sophomore Jameel Poeat. He was the biggest recruit in the 2011 class and saw some action last year as a true freshman.

Fellow sophomore Ralph David Abernathy IV continues to impress with not only his skills on special teams but also his big play ability on offense.

With less than two weeks of spring practice remaining, culminating with Bearcat Bowl VI, there are some wide open spots at the skill positions for the Bearcats.