Nick Mardner– Mardner is a name to keep an eye on and people will see why come September 3rd as the 6-foot-6 wide receiver is coming off a season where he caught 46 balls, for 913 yards, five touchdowns. Mardner brings that length and ability to go up and get those jump balls, with that 6-foot 6 frame, he also brings the speed as well, and that has been something that has stood out in camp so far. We saw Pierce get a lot of those jump balls in the endzone, and lets just take time to remember Pierce, was 6-foot-3 and look at the success he was able to have throughout his Bearcat career, just imagine what someone the size of Mardner will be able to do as we have seen him win the jump balls frequently throughout camp. Mardner, was also named to the Biletnikoff Preseason Watch List given annually to the top receiver in the country.
Mardner gained a lot of praise from fellow receiver Tre Tucker as the Bearcats head into the season after turning heads at Camp Higher Ground.
“He is getting better and better each day. He is a physical freak, he is 6-foot-6, can run too. The sky is the limit for him. I’m excited to see him play, I actually can’t wait to see him score his first touchdown in the red and black, I know it’s going to be crazy, and it’s coming very soon.”
Tyler Scott– Scott broke on the scene his freshman season back in 2020, where he saw action in all 10 games during the pandemic riddled season, which set him up for some big success his sophomore season in 2021. Scott, is coming off a season where he finished with 30 receptions tallying 520 yards, and five touchdowns. Scott was averaging nearly 17.77 yards per catch, which was good for 2nd within the American Athletic Conference. Scott, hauled in the longest passing play of the season for the Bearcats, on what was the very first play of the season, where Desmond Ridder connected with a streaking Scott for an 81 yard touchdown in the Bearcats 49-14 win over the Redhawks. Scott, will look to continue that role of being that offensive deep threat for the Bearcats this season, whether its Ben Bryant or Evan Prater slinging the rock, expect Scott to have a huge season for the Bearcats, as he has a tremendous camp so far. Scott, was also just named to Feldman’s Freak list to start the season
Tre Tucker. Senior wide receiver Tre Tucker is known as one of the most versatile athletes within the AAC, as he is known for his quick speed, the ability to create separation, with that shifty route running ability. Tucker will be a dominant weapon for the Bearcats on both sides of the ball whether that’s on offense or special teams in the kick/punt returning game. Tucker is coming off a season where he caught 34 targets, for 426 yards and two touchdowns. Tucker also was dominant in the special teams role where he returned 22 kicks for 557 yards, averaging 25.32 yards per return. Tucker also had one kickoff return for a touchdown which was the momentum changing moment in the Bearcats 38-24 victory over Indiana, where he took one 99 yards to the house. Like Tyler Scott, Tre was also named to the Feldman’s freak list, and we got to elaborate on what that means for him.
“It’s funny because those guys you mentioned are absolute freaks, I just train with them. Big props to strength and conditioning coach Brady Collins, that’s the man with the plan behind everything, without him I’m not sure if we would be freaks on that list, everything he does for us is amazing.”
