UC’s kickoff return team is special with seven to eight players that could return the ball. Junior Tre Tucker is a speedy receiver and a top return specialist in the ACC, he was named Second Team All-AAC in the 2020-2021, we can imagine he will be the primary kick returner this season as well as a key player on the offensive side of the ball. Grad transfer wideout from Notre Dame, Micheal Young, Jr. was named Second-Team All-ACC selection and started 10 games for the AAC Champions during his first season with the Bearcats. Finished as UC’s leading receiver with 29 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Young, Jr. will bring experience and veteran leadership to the special teams unit. Junior Ryan Montgomery is an experienced specialist, Montgomery saw action in all 10 games on special teams and at running back in the 2020-2021 season . Rushing 15 times for 41 yards, had four catches for 16 yards, returned four kicks for 87 yards and totaled 14 punt returns for 110 yards. His 7.9 yards-per punt return average was sixth-best in the AAC. Redshirt freshman from Florida, Marquez Bell is also a great kick return specialist with a lot of skill. Bell made his UC debut against Austin Peay, his lone appearance of the season, but has been a standout during camp and practices with his speed and agility. Freshman Will Pauling has done the same showing off his speed and great hands throughout camp and practices. In Pauling’s junior year of high school the speedster had 1,184 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns. Sophomore Jaden Thomspson is another great guy to have in your locker room with a lot of potential. He was a four-star prospect ranked as the No. 5 player in Illinois and a Top-60 wideout in the 2020 signing class. He will bring a lot of talent to the special teams group.
We are excited to see this great group of guys contribute to special teams in this upcoming 2021-2022 season. As well as building on team success for the Bearcats football team.
