The University of Cincinnati's newly enlarged recruiting department announced five more transfers on Tuesday, adding to their latest recruiting class. But, as coach Scott Satterfield has said, "you have to recruit your own players".
Though he never officially left, the biggest news on the Bearcat roster Tuesday was the return for a sixth year of eligibility for defensive lineman Malik Vann. Vann announced the news on Instagram in the afternoon and it was confirmed by University sources.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Vann played in only two games this season, suffering a pectoral injury in the home victory against Kennesaw State. He's been with the team since 2018 and has played in 49 career games.
His best season came in 2021 when the Bearcats went to the Cotton Bowl in the national semifinal game against Alabama. He had 33.5 tackles that year, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He now joins veteran Jowon Briggs on the new Bearcats defensive line coached by new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown. Brown's defensive line at Louisville led the nation in sacks last season.
In addition to the return of Vann and Briggs, Dontay Corleone is back after grading higher than any defensive lineman in the country according to Pro Football Focus (93.3).
Prior to UC, Vann played at Fairfield where he was a teammate of current Bengal Jackson Carman under coach Jason Krause. Vann was the Greater Miami Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-Ohio player. He was considered a four-star recruit out of high school and chose the Bearcats over Alabama, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Oklahoma among others.
