Trouble In Cincinnati

Senior QB Desmond Ridder Looking For An Open Receiver Against Ohio State

Trouble In Cincinnati

Halftime College Football

By Cory Lemer

3/13/22

The Bearcats led by senior QB Desmond Ridder managed to finish the regular season undefeated and became the first group of 5 team to make the college football playoff. The Bearcats season sadly ended with a 27-6 loss against the Crimson Tide. At the end of every college football season hundreds of impactful players from all over the country enter the 2022 NFL draft. The Bearcats will be represented well in Las Vegas sending QB Desmond Ridder, RB Jerome Ford and many more prospects to the NFL. Since 2000 Desmond Ridder has been the best Quarterback the Bearcats have had and with him leaving it a massive question appears. Who will lead the Bearcats in 2022? Cincinnati has 6 available options to lead them this season which definitely contributes to making this QB battle one to watch this spring.

Freshman Luther Richesson, Lipscomb Academy (TN)

Cincinnati brought in one Quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class in the form of Luther Richesson. Luther is a 3 star and probably will not be the starter this year, however Luther if given the chance can become a breakout star for the Bearcats. Whether he starts or not Luther provides needed quarterback depth for Cincinnati.

Senior Ben Bryant, (Transfer from Eastern Michigan)

Ben Bryant was one of Cincinnati’s transfers this off season. Ben never really saw the field at Cincinnati and transferred to Eastern Michigan for the 2021 season. After a disappointing season of limited playing time Ben transferred back to the Bearcats. Ben will most likely not see the field at Cincinnati but does provide a veteran option and could become a graduate assistant with the team.

Redshirt Sophomore Evan Prater

Evan Prater was the backup to Desmond Ridder last season and managed to gain valuable experience and should be able to translate into the starting role nicely. I would be shocked to see anyone but Evan starting week 1 against Arkansas.

Junior Jack Perry

Jack Perry was a JUCO transfer last year from San Mateo College. Jack didn’t see the field at all last year but does possess the experience the Bearcats need. While I don’t expect Jack to start this year, I do expect him to be the backup and get a solid amount of playing time.

Sophomore Jacob Hoying

Jacob Hoying is another young option the Bearcats have going into the 2022 season. Jacob didn’t see any playing time last year and because of the amount of depth I unfortunately do not see him becoming the starter. Even though he will mostly not start he provides some great depth for the Bearcats this year.

Sophomore Brady Litctenberg

Brady Lichtenberg was another QB the Bearcats landed in the 2021 cycle. Brady, like most of the Quarterbacks last season, barely saw the field. Since he was buried deep in the depth chart last year it will be hard for him to start this year however Brady will provide depth for a team with an open Quarterback competition.