First let’s break down running back Corey Kiner, who transferred in from LSU late this spring. Kiner is coming off his freshman season where he was looking to take on the number one back position down at LSU before deciding to come back home and play for the Bearcats. During Kiner’s freshman season at LSU he saw 79 carries, rushing for 324 yards and two scores, but people were starting to take notice of why Kiner, the one time Mr. Ohio was so highly recruited before making his announcement to the Tigers back in the spring of 2021. Bringing a guy with his talent is tremendous for the Bearcats after seeing what Jerome Ford was able to do once he transferred in from Alabama ahead of the 2020 season, Kiner looks to bring that same elusiveness to the Bearcats offense right away. We have seen what Cincinnatian has been able to do so far in camp and it has blown us all away, the sophomore running back is coming into camp at 215 pounds, and the powerful burst he has you can really sit back and see the likes of Mike Warren and Jerome Ford in his camp, but one thing that stands out to me about Corey is his ability to get low and run people over and we saw that directly in camp that included a 1 yard touchdown run in yesterday’s scrimmage where nose tackle Dontay Corleone had him wrapped up, but Kiner kept the legs moving to find the end zone.
“You had a guy like Corey Kiner, to the already talented room we have, he has been a great fit, it has been like he’s been on this team since day one. He’s a great teammate, guys enjoy him, he asks great questions. He just doesn’t want to be somebody who’s been an outsider, he wants to integrate on everything we do in Cincinnati football. Hes been phenomenal, just as a teammate, a guy to coach. He wants to grow, he’s eager to learn, he has really raised the competition level. He is a talented guy, there is no bones about it, he is a true freshman that played at LSU, we all know about it. He’s a great addition,” said coach Paige.
“I feel great being a Bearcat, everyone on this team has welcomed me with open arms. Coach Fickell has welcomed me with open arms, everyone has made me feel like I have been a part of this family since day one. It feels great to be home, be around great people who are working hard, encouraging me to work hard it feels great. I’m very happy with my decision, I made the right choice. Coming in here, I truly see the family culture that is in here. We preach tough and nasty, everyone is tough, and everyone is nasty, we are going to be hungry to fight, but also be brothers. Whatever coach asks me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my abilities, that’s the mindset of everyone on this team. Strength and conditioning coaches have been calling Maurice Jones-Drew, so I have been trying to watch some more of his tape here recently,” said Kiner.
Ryan Montgomery
The senior running back is coming off a season where he rushed for 312 yards and three touchdowns on 46 attempts, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Montgomery should see some action in the backfield this season along with guys like Corey Kiner, Charles McClelland and Myles Montgomery. Montgomery was recently named to the Paul Hornung Preseason Watch List, which is given annually to the most versatile player in the country, where he is coming off a season where he finished 2nd in the AAC in punt returns where he returned 20 punts for 229 yards, averaging 11.5 yards per return. Montgomery will play a big factor for the Bearcats this season whether it’s in the backfield or on special teams. He joins Charles McClelland as the veterans in that running back room and is really looking to embrace that leadership role.
“Individual goals that probably can’t be measured is to be a leader for this team and to step up and fill the roles we lost from last season. I just want to put this team in the best position as possible to go as far as we can.”
