Cincinnati football newcomers impress after spring game, plus an update on QB situation

While it was good to see some old faces back on the turf at Nippert Stadium for the University of Cincinnati's spring scrimmage Saturday, some new faces stood out and could be players to remember.

Granted, most of the quarterbacks weren't able to be hit and there was a highly-talented defense chasing down a new offense for the 15th time since March. Still, they were some notable highlights.

Know your D's: Daniel, D-bo, Deshawn, Dingle, Dontay, etc.

Not that UC doesn't have skilled defenders throughout the rest of the alphabet, but some of these guys made their presence known right away.

Utah St. grad student Daniel Grzesiak, after an IV for a 100-degree fever, came out and put the heat on Ben Bryant immediately. The 6-foot-1, 250-pounder had barely eaten since Thursday but was sack-hungry swatting the ball from Bryant and allowing teammate Dontay Corleone to fall on the precious piece of cowhide. Once the 320-pound "Godfather" smothers a ball, it rarely returns.

"He has an extremely high motor all the time," UC coach Scott Satterfield said of Grzesiak. "It starts right there with our defensive line. I think Jack Dingle and Dorian Jones both on the inside have played at a high level at linebacker and then Deshawn Pace at the star position. You think about that front seven and it's a solid front seven, they got a lot of speed, tenacity, they can get after the passer, they can cause problems. I mean, just like on that play there, you are able to get in the backfield and potentially get a strip sack, so that's going to enable quarterbacks to have to throw it sooner and then you will get interception stuff in the backend."

What is UC's future under center?

Barely 18 years old, Brady Drogosh is notable for his 6-4, 215-pound size and the fact he was the only quarterback not wearing a green jersey Saturday. The early enrollee was able to be hit, but elusive in some of his rushes. He also had the pass of the day with a 38-yard strike to another early enrollee freshman Barry Jackson.

"Drogosh live today was awesome to see," Satterfield said. "He wanted to be able to come out and he needs that for his development. He is going to really good football player, what he brings to the table, being able to run. The big guy that can run! He has put on 21 pounds since January while he's been here. He's gotten stronger, and faster. He's still learning a lot, but it was very impressive to see him out there running around and making plays."

It should be noted the four-star from Michigan was the highest-rated of the 2023 Bearcat recruits and was sought by then-UC offensive quarterback and Bearcat Hall of Famer Gino Guidugli. Drogosh stayed firm despite the coaching change in early December.

Could multiple quarterbacks play this fall?

Each quarterback Saturday directed at least one touchdown drive. The battle appears to be between Arizona State transfer Emory Jones Jr. who arguably had his best day of spring practice and last year's starter Ben Bryant. Jones comes in the dual-threat form of Malik Cunningham, Satterfield's quarterback at Louisville. Bryant had a solid spring passing the ball and was even utilized by UC's upcoming NFL draft picks in their Pro Day on the Bengals campus.

“Within our offense over the years, I have had quarterbacks that can run, I have had players rush for over 1,000 yards, and I have also had guys that really didn’t run at all," Satterfield said. "What we have to do is work with whatever their strengths are and then that is what we are going to try to let them do. When Ben [Bryant] is in the game we are going to do more of keeping him in the pocket and letting him use the live arm that he has, while Emory [Jones] can do a little bit more with his legs and get outside and maybe even more with [Brady] Drogosh or Evan Prater, who are both very athletic. Ultimately it is going to come down to whoever is in the game, and we will cater the offense more toward that."

Action Jackson

You wouldn't expect a 5-11, 195-pound early enrollee to excel in the spring game when they normally would be home getting fitted for their cap and gown. No one told Barry Jackson from Ellewood, Georgia who eventually chose UC over Nebraska.

In addition to catching the key ball from Drogosh, he impressed Satterfield and all of the quarterbacks.

“Barry [Jackson] to me, from day one to day fifteen is the most improved player this spring," Satterfield said. "He just got here in January and is a true freshman. He's supposed to be getting ready for prom and he’s out here catching touchdowns. He has had to get a lot of reps from the slot route and he is out there getting it done. He's really grown up a lot in such a short period of time and he will certainly be a guy that we'll be able to use in the fall. We weren't sure at first early in the spring, but he is going to make us play him, which is what you want and it's awesome.”

Ins and out of the portal

In addition to the departure of Jaheim Thomas at linebacker at day after spring practice ended, kicker Christian Lowery will now tee it up elsewhere. Lowery kicked an extra point in the Fenway Bowl after the departure of last year's kicker Ryan Coe. In 2021, he was 2-for-4 on field goals and made all 20 of his extra points filling in for Cole Smith. With the addition of Carter Brown from Arizona State, Lowery appeared to have an uphill battle.

Headlines and commitments

A day after their scrimmage UC received commitments from tight end Gavin Grover, a 6-6, 220-pound three-star from Olentangy Lewis Center. Later Sunday, it was 5-8, 165-pound Dakarai Anderson from Perry, Georgia, a wide receiver who has clocked a 10.71 in the 100-meters.

Official basketball big man

Transfer Jamille Reynolds from Temple who recently committed to Wes Miller's Bearcats, has officially signed. The 6-11, 280-pound Reynolds averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Owls as a junior.

"We've coached against Jamille the last two years and have always been impressed with his ability," UC coach Wes Miller said. "He has a rare combination of size, agility, explosiveness and power. He's skilled and has a natural feel for basketball."

Women's coach Katrina Merriweather names coaching staff

Merriweather assembled the initial portion of her staff with the additions of Ashley Barlow, Abby Jump, Kabrina Merriweather and Michal Miller on Monday.

“These four individuals joining our staff on this new journey means everything,” Katrina Merriweather said. “They are each unique as recruiters, developers and mentors, while working well as a collective unit. They are my family and I appreciate them trusting me as we continue to elevate the standard here at Cincinnati.”

All four helped lead Memphis to a 22-11 record last season, the program’s first 20-win season since 2011-12. The Tigers finished second in the conference to clinch their highest-ever American Athletic Conference regular season finish and advanced to a postseason tournament for the first time since 2015-16 with an appearance in the 2023 WNIT Sweet 16.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC football newcomers to watch; Jamille Reynolds joins basketball team