Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati football junior linebacker Deshawn Pace, junior center Jake Renfro and senior punt returner/running back Ryan Montgomery were named preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele on Friday.
Pace was a preseason second-team selection following a 2021 season where he totaled 94 tackles and tallied a team-high four interceptions en route to honorable mention All-AAC honors.
Renfro garnered preseason third-team mention after anchoring Cincinnati’s record-breaking offense in 2021 and earning All-AAC First Team honors.
Montgomery snagged preseason fourth-team accolades after averaging 11.5 yards per punt return to rank second in the AAC and 10th in the nation.
Pace, Renfro and Montgomery joined transfer wide receiver Nick Mardner (Hawai’i), senior tackle Dylan O’Quinn and senior defensive end Jabari Taylor as preseason first-team All-AAC picks from Steele, as well.
Senior offensive linemen Jeremy Cooper and James Tunstall were joined by junior defensive tackle Jowon Briggs and transfer linebacker Ivan Pace (Miami [Ohio]) on the preseason all-conference second team.
Senior tight end Josh Whyle, senior guard Lorenz Metz, senior linebacker Wilson Huber and senior defensive back Arquon Bush were named to the preseason third team along with specialists, sophomore punter Mason Fletcher, junior long snapper Cayson Pfeiffer and senior kick returner Tre Tucker.
Tucker was also named to the preseason fourth team at wide receiver.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25 HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
DAY ONE READY CAMPAIGN
Cincinnati will officially join the Big 12 on July 1, 2023. The Bearcats are entering into a new era as a Power Five school, and in joining the Big 12, every competitive advantage matters for UC’s 450-plus student-athletes.
As a significant part of the university’s Next, Now Campaign, UC Athletics’ Day One Ready Campaign is a $100 million fundraising initiative that’s focused on achieving Next Level Success in the new conference. With fans’ support for signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness, the Bearcats won’t just be prepared to compete on their first official day in the Big 12.
They’ll be ready to bring championships home to Cincinnati.
Donate to the Day One Ready Campaign here.
Phil Steele Preseason All-Americans
LB Deshawn Pace (second team)
C jake Renfro (third team)
PR Ryan Montgomery (fourth team)
Phil Steele Preseason All-AAC Team
First-Team Offense
WR Nick Mardner
C Jake Renfro
OT Dylan O’Quinn
First-Team Defense
DE Jabari Taylor
LB Deshawn Pace
First-Team Specialists
PR Ryan Montgomery
Second-Team Offense
OG Jeremy Cooper
OT James Tunstall
Second-Team Defense
DT Jowon Briggs
LB Ivan Pace
Third-Team Offense
TE Josh Whyle
OG Lorenz Metz
Third-Team Defense
LB Wilson Huber
DB Arquon Bush
Third-Team Specialists
P Mason Fletcher
KR Tre Tucker
LS Cayson Pfeiffer
Fourth-Team Offense
WR Tre Tucker
