Is this the most talented backfield in UC history?

The Cincinnati Bearcats program has a rich history of running backs, but normally the core is based of a good one or two. I’m going back as early as 2000 because anything before that I’m just looking at stats and have no real insight on how good the player or players were.

DeMarco McCleskey was a battering ram for the Bearcats In the early 2000’s. He’s the second leading rusher in program history and has one of the best seasons in program his history. He ran for 1,361 yards which is first in a single season and 15 touchdown which is now third. As good as McCleskey was the backfield wasn’t loaded like it is in Clifton right now.

Even a backfield of Isaiah Pead and George Winn (earlier this decade) who each had great careers at Cincinnati and beyond (both making the NFL) didn’t have the pure depth this current roster has. Pead is arguably the greatest running back in Bearcat history, but this new core is special.

Mike Boone and Tion Green had solid careers at Cincinnati and both got shots at the NFL. Green playing for the Lions and Boone is currently playing with the Vikings. They were a mix and match bunch. I personally think Boone is the most talented back I’ve seen since Pead, but this new group may make me readjust my rankings in the near future.

Right now the Cincinnati Bearcats have Michael Warren II, Gerrid Doaks, Tavion Thomas and Charles McClelland (plus a few others) in the same backfield. Doaks missed all of 2018 season with a groin injury which allowed Warren II to blow up on the scene. Also with no Doaks it allowed Thomas and McClelland to get valuable work as freshman. Both Thomas and McClelland are very good backs, who have big time potential, McClelland isn’t a battering ram like the physically gifted Thomas, but he’s a threat to go to the house no matter where he touches the ball. Nationally people now know what Warren II can do, but lost in the rising is how much potential that Doaks has, he was the Bearcats leading rusher in 2017.

With all four running backs in the fold this season it could get scary for opposing defenses. All four of them can carry the load if need be, we know the peking order starts with Warren II and then a sprinkle of Doaks, Thomas and McClelland.

All four backs where 3 star talents coming out Warren II was committed to his hometown Toledo Rockets before Cincinnati swooped in, Thomas was committed to Oklahoma before Cincinnati swooped in, Doaks was recruited by former coach Tommy Tuberville and McClelland made a the trek from Georgia. Normally schools like Ohio State, Alabama and Oklahoma and Clemson have loaded backfields like the one currently seen in Cincinnati. You can say I’m being a homer, but all four of them have NFL Sunday potential. Only time will tell with these four players, but has Cincinnati ever had this much talent in one backfield?