The 2026 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represents the University of Cincinnati during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats, members of the Big 12 Conference, play home games at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. 2026 is the program's fourth season under head coach Scott Satterfield.
Offseason Coaching staff changes Departures Departures Tyson Veidt Defensive coordinator Took position at other school Penn State Linebackers Eddie Hicks Cornerbacks Took position at other school Arkansas Cornerbacks Brad Glenn Offensive coordinator Not retained Clemson Offensive Player Development/Assistant Tight Ends Coach
Additions Additions Nate Woody Defensive coordinator Army Defensive coordinator Mark Speir Assistant Head Coach Appalachian State Offensive Assistant
Transfer portal
Departing transfers Manny Covey RB5' 11"192Starke, FL MemphisKelian SmithDL6' 2"330Pickerington, OHBall StateNoah JenningsWR6' 0"190Blythewood, SCMinnesotaBarry Jackson Jr.WR5' 11"195Ellenwood, GARiceDarrel GipsonEDGE6' 1"242Lacey, WAIdahoCaleb GoodieWR6' 1"178Port Arthur, TXMissouriTim GriffinDL6' 5"275Covington, GAGeorgia TechTayden BarnesS5' 8"185Amarillo, TXNew Mexico StateWeston SimmonsLS5' 11"215Mason, OHMemphisJakorion CaffreyRB5' 10"212Avon, OHKent StateLendric BarberDL6' 3"310McDonough, GAEastern KentuckyCincear LewisLB6' 1"218Kalamazoo, MIBall StateEvan PryorRB5' 9"195Cornelius, NCFloridaMikah ColemanEDGE6' 4"272Reynoldsburg, OHMiami(OH)Ormanie ArnoldCB5' 9"178Compton, CANew MexicoQuan SanksS5' 10"195Phenix City, ALIndianaBrendan SorsbyQB6' 3"235Lake Dallas, TXTexas TechChance WilliamsRB5' 8"190Baton Rouge, LACharlotteChristian HarrisonS6' 0"195Atlanta, GAArkansasKye StokesS6' 1"194Seffner, FLUtah StateKamari BurnsDL6' 3"300Columbus, OHKansas StateEthan GreenOT6' 6"313Fremont, OHSouth FloridaDakarai AndersonWR5' 8"183Perry, GACentral Arkansas
Recruiting
2026 NFL draft
251Minnesota VikingsJake GoldayLB5170Cleveland BrownsJoe RoyerTE5176Kansas City ChiefsCyrus AllenWR7235Minnesota VikingsGavin GerhardtCUDFABaltimore RavensMatthew McDoomDBUDFACincinnati BengalsJack DingleLBUDFAJacksonville JaguarsJalen HuntDLUDFAKansas City ChiefsJeff CaldwellWR
Schedule
Game summaries vs. Boston College
Statistics BCCIN First downs 24 17 Plays–yards 73–388 61–339 Rushes–yards 38–165 46–254 Passing yards 223 85 Passing: –– 18–35–1 11–15–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 31:19 28:41 Team Category Player Statistics Boston College PassingMason McKenzie 18/35, 223 yards, TD, INT Rushing 20 carries, 78 yards Receiving Javarius Green 6 receptions, 74 yards Cincinnati Passing JC French IV 10/14, 77 yards, TD Rushing Gi'Bran Payne 14 carries, 108 yards Receiving JV Gibson 4 receptions, 54 yards, TD
vs. Western Carolina (FCS)
Statistics WCUCIN First downs 13 32 Plays–yards 57–241 80–690 Rushes–yards 20–74 49–418 Passing yards 167 272 Passing: –– 24–37–1 28–31–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 27:23 32:37 Team Category Player Statistics Western Carolina Passing Lex Thomas 23/32, 165 yards Rushing Marlin Cochran 3 carries, 25 yards Receiving Jake Young 5 receptions, 49 yards Cincinnati Passing JC French IV 21/24, 245 yards, 2 TD Rushing Gi'Bran Payne 12 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD Receiving Malachi Henry 3 receptions, 87 yards
vs. Miami (OH) (Victory Bell)
Statistics M-OHCIN First downs 20 25 Total yards 410 446 Rushes–yards 28–76 33–137 Passing yards 334 309 Passing: –– 17–28–1 31–43–0 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 26:34 33:26 Team Category Player Statistics Miami (OH) Passing David McComb 17–28, 334 yards, TD, INT Rushing Rodney Nelson 7 carries, 32 yards Receiving Maleek Huggins 4 receptions, 128 yards, TD Cincinnati Passing JC French IV 31–43, 309 yards, 2 TD Rushing Cole Tabb 6 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD Receiving JV Gibson 7 receptions, 68 yards, TD
vs. Kansas State
Statistics KSUCIN First downs 25 16 Plays–yards 80-447 51-436 Rushes–yards 30-155 38-271 Passing yards 292 165 Passing: –– 30-50-0 8-13-0 Time of possession 33:18 26:42 Team Category Player Statistics Kansas State PassingAvery Johnson30-50, 292 yards, TD RushingJoe Jackson11 carries, 59 yards ReceivingDerrick Salley Jr.7 receptions, 140 yards, TD Cincinnati PassingJC French IV8-13, 165 yards, TD RushingGi'Bran Payne16 carries, 126 yards ReceivingJV Gibson2 receptions, 66 yards
at Arizona
Statistics CINARIZ First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving Arizona Passing Rushing Receiving
at West Virginia
Statistics CINWVU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving West Virginia Passing Rushing Receiving
vs. Texas Tech
Statistics TTUCIN First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Texas Tech Passing Rushing Receiving Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving
vs. Utah
Statistics UTAHCIN First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Utah Passing Rushing Receiving Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving
at Houston
Statistics CINHOU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving Houston Passing Rushing Receiving
at Iowa State
Statistics CINISU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving Iowa State Passing Rushing Receiving
vs. Colorado
Statistics COLOCIN First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Colorado Passing Rushing Receiving Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving
at BYU
Statistics CINBYU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Cincinnati Passing Rushing Receiving BYU Passing Rushing Receiving
Personnel
Roster and staff
Rankings
Awards and honors
References