Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Senior Leadership Leading Bearcats to Victories

The Cincinnati Bearcats are off to a fast 6-1 start. That can be attributed to a number of things, including senior leadership at all positions on both sides of the ball. 

The Bearcats have had to come from behind in the fourth quarter of back-to-back games, and while some of it can be attributed to their conditioning, a lot of credit can be given to their senior leadership. That senior leadership all starts with fifth-year senior Zach Collaros. Collaros is in his second full season as a starter for Cincinnati, and he has led the Bearcats on two game-winning fourth quarter drives the past two games. 

Running back Isaiah Pead is one of the best in the country and is in his third season as a starter. His 50-yard touchdown scamper helped put Cincinnati ahead for good in the fourth quarter against Louisville. 

Receiver D.J. Woods has been a vocal leader for Cincinnati ever since he arrived and, like Pead, is in his third year as a starter. While he has not had as big of a season as he would have liked numbers-wise, he has helped develop the younger players. 

On the offensive line, Alex Hoffman has been a stalwart for three years and has shown his versatility, moving from guard to tackle. He is the Bearcats' senior leader up front and an anchor on the offensive line. 

On defense, tackle Derek Wolfe has been a man up front. He has spent most of the season in the other teams' backfield and is possibly the Bearcats top draft prospect for 2012. 

Linebacker J.K. Schaffer has been an anchor for the Cincinnati defense the past three seasons. He has led the team in tackles each of the last two years and is likely to do it again this season. 

The secondary is led by safeties Wesley Richardson and Drew Frey. While Richardson is a senior, Frey is a fifth-year junior who is already starting for his third season. 

These seniors are looking for their third Big East title in four years and for another trip to a BCS bowl. Only time will tell if that will happen, but with the group of seniors Cincinnati has, it is a strong possibility.