Cincinnati Football: Bearcats Get Commitment from TE A.J. Branisel

The Cincinnati Bearcats football program received another verbal commitment last week, giving them two verbals so far for the 2013 class.

Joining 3-star QB prospect Kyle Kempt, tight end A.J. Branisel from South Euclid, OH is the latest commitment for the Bearcats.

Cincinnati has had a strong influx of tight ends over the past few years, with names like Brent Celek and Ben Guidugli who are now playing on Sundays.

Cincinnati hopes Braisel can bring some of that same talent to Clifton for the 2013 football season.

Branisel is rated the No. 24 tight end in the country by Rivals. He is a 3-star recruit and could pay huge dividends down the road for Butch Jones and Co.

At 6'4" and 225 pounds, he certainly has the size to play at the Division I level.

While he did not have offers from the biggest name schools in the country, he did choose Cincinnati over schools like Missouri, Connecticut, Marshall, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Ohio and Ball State.

Branisel is out of Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School just outside of Cleveland. He is known as a receiving tight end and should do well in the spread offense for the Bearcats.

Travis Kelce is slated to be the starter for the 2012 season, with junior Blake Annen the likely backup.

In 2013, when Kelce departs, Cincinnati will be left with Annen as the only tight end who has seen any meaningful amount of action.

Branisel is the kind of player who will have a chance to step in and be a backup as a true freshman if everything falls into place for him.