Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Depth Chart Set as Bearcats Prepare for Opener

Preseason camp is over and preparations are underway for the Cincinnati Bearcats as they get ready for their season opener on Saturday against Austin Peay. 

There were some heated battles heading into preseason camp and all of the questions have now been answered, with the season only three days away. 

One of the biggest battles was for the starting kicker position. That was won by redshirt freshman Tony Miliano. Miliano beat out Wake Forest transfer Shane Popham. 

Also on special teams, true freshman Ralph Abernathy IV will return kickoffs along with D.J. Woods and Anthony McClung. Punts will also be handled by Woods and possibly running back Isaiah Pead. 

The two biggest battles on the offensive side of the ball were backup quarterback, with the transfer of Chazz Anderson, and starting tight end. 

Sophomore Munchie Legaux has won the No. 2 quarterback spot and Georgia Tech transfer Jordan Luallen will be the No. 3. 

At tight end, sophomore Blake Annen has surprised many by earning the starting nod over senior Adrien Robinson and junior Travis Kelce (who was suspended all of last season and will not play in the season opener against Austin Peay because of an ankle injury). 

The third receiver spot was grabbed by Anthony McClung. McClung saw action last season due to all of the injuries at that spot and will start alongside junior Kenbrell Thompkins and senior D.J. Woods. 

True freshmen Shaquille Washington and Alex Chisum are in the two-deep at receiver, along with senior Orion Woodard. 

On defense, the surprise of camp is sophomore cornerback Deven Drane winning the starting spot over senior and two-year starter Dominique Battle.

Battle missed the second half of last season with a torn ACL and could see more playing time as the season progresses.

Junior Camerron Cheatham has won a starting cornerback spot along with junior Chris Williams, who beat out junior Ruben Johnson. Johnson started alongside Battle last year.

The defensive depth chart shows a five defensive back set, leaving only J.K. Schaffer and Maalik Bomar at linebacker.

True freshmen Dwight Jackson and Clemente Casseus are at No. 2 on the depth chart at linebacker, followed by two more freshmen at No. 3 in Nick Temple and Solomon Tentman.

The move of Walter Stewart to defensive end from linebacker gives Cincinnati more depth on the defensive line and moves junior Brandon Mills to No. 2 on the depth chart.

While there is a lot of experience on both sides of the ball, there are also a lot of youngsters in the two-deep. This could prove beneficial in Week 1 as Cincinnati should have no trouble giving the reins to their second stringers after halftime.