College Football 2011: Cincinnati Spring Practice Ends with Bearcat Bowl 5

Heading into their final week of spring practice, the Cincinnati Bearcat players are certainly looking forward to the annual Bearcat Bowl on Saturday. 

Cincinnati returns most of its core nucleus from last season, including 18 starters and has several new players itching to get on the field. 

Once again, the Bearcats will be strong at wide receiver. One of those receivers is junior college transfer Kenbrell Thompkins. Thompkins sat out last season after Tennessee would not release him from his scholarship. 

He is an explosive receiver with 4.4 40-speed and shined in the Bearcat Bowl a season ago. Thompkins has developed as a leader to younger players both on and off the field. 

Another receiver to watch is sophomore Anthony McClung. McClung saw action as a true freshman last season and even started a few games toward the end of last season. 

Senior D.J. Woods will be back to anchor a strong group. Woods was a Second-Team All-Big East selection last season after finishing the year with 898 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Fifth-year senior and team leader Zach Collaros will be eager to get back on the field after his team struggled to a 4-8 finish last season, despite finishing on the All-Big East First-Team. 

Talented running back Isaiah Pead will also return in the backfield along with Darrin Williams. 

One the defensive side of the ball Cincinnati returns everyone. Look for junior Walter Stewart to have a big season. Stewart has moved from linebacker to defensive end in the spring. He is the one player who on a very below average defense has the ability to consistently get to the quarterback. 

Senior J.K. Schaffer was a Second-Team All-Big East selection last season and is a tackling machine at linebacker. 

Spring practice began last Sunday. The crazy weather of Cincinnati has offered the players the chance to play in the snow and also in 80 degree temperatures within a ten day span. 

Saturday night, all of their hard work from the spring will culminate in the Bearcat Bowl where they will show fans what they have to offer for the upcoming season.