RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Cincinnati Bearcats are into their second week of training camp and are coming up on three weeks away from the Nippert Stadium season opener against Boston College (Sept. 5).
Thus far, the offensive line has commanded the headlines with Preseason All-American guard Evan Tengesdahl recently making the "Freaks List" annually put out by Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports. On this Wednesday, Aug. 12, Tengesdahl added the Lombardi Watch List to his accolades.
The Lombardi Award is given to the nation's top college football lineman or linebacker who best exemplifies the character, discipline, grit, and leadership of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi. Tengesdahl is one of 54 standouts selected nationwide and one of just six representatives from the Big 12.
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"One of the most powerful players in college football." @EvanTengesdahl_ ➡️ 2026 @BruceFeldmanCFB Freaks List pic.twitter.com/Eq3oPGtnv7
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) August 10, 2026
5 takeaways from 2nd week of Cincinnati Bearcats training camp, Day 6
1. For 2nd straight day, Bearcats work at Sheakley Indoor Performance Facility
The luxury of an indoor facility is not missing a beat in practice. In their new building, the Bearcats are just steps from their locker room to the field, while on dry days it's a short hike to Nippert Stadium.
Another reason to bypass Camp Higher Ground was also the size of the football staff. When then-coach Rick Minter started going to West Harrison, Indiana, there weren't as many coaches or support personnel. In a Power Four conference like the Big 12, there's more personnel and more effort needed to pull off a remote practice while using the same 2026 technology and sports science methods.
Most recently, the team required an additional hotel within driving distance to accommodate the extra staff. And if there was a thunderstorm, the only solution was to wait it out inside.
"This is the best I've been around facility-wise," fifth-year safety Jasper Beeler said. "The way we work here and the intensity, I haven't been able to do that at any other place. All that we have here is amazing."
2. Aug. 12 UC practice featured more hitting
Gradually, the August practices have gotten more physical. The chatter between defensive backs and receivers has been evident and the offense (white jerseys) and defense (black jerseys) have been pretty spirited this week.
Safety CJ Jones had a tremendous interception while battling for the ball with receiver Giyahni (Gio) Kontosis. Kontosis and JV Gibson have given some defensive backs fits, but Jones came away with the football.
Safety MJ Cannon also had a big goal-line play and things have been very competitive when there's a running play involved.
"I love it!" Beeler said. "It's football, man. At the end of the day, everybody wants to compete, everybody wants to win. Obviously, it's going to get physical; we're all grown men."
Beeler transferred to UC from Northern Illinois and is part of a group of safeties trying to fill the void of South Alabama transfer Ty Goodwill, who is out for the season with an Achilles injury. Goodwill sent his teammates a video shortly after getting out of surgery, asking about their progress.
3. UC Bearcats center Taran Tyo likes downfield contact
At 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, Tyo isn't afraid of much.
He raised and showed hogs as a kid and was a state meet wrestler and thrower (shot and discus) on the track team in addition to his punishing blocks. Now, he's enjoying the limelight with Tengesdahl and Joe Cotton as the "Pancake Trio", particularly when an offensive line coach a few years ago here didn't give him the time of day.
Tyo works out his frustrations on the field and likes to follow the ball after he's plowed the hole.
"I love getting down the field, blowing up piles, blowing up corners, safeties, whatever it is," Tyo said.
4. UC RB Zion Johnson might not be caught
In the August 11 practice, it was Notre Dame transfer Gi'Bran Payne with the long touchdown run. Aug. 12, it was Zion Johnson with a few quick bursts. Johnson played late last year when Evan Pryor was sidelined and is the most experienced back in terms of being a Bearcat.
The UC backs range from 5-foot-8 to around 5-foot-10, and Johnson now has 192 pounds on his frame with good speed. Once he's through a hole, there's no turning back.
"I don't want to say nobody, but there's very few people catching me," Johnson said. "They (offensive line) are making the holes way, way bigger. They're just executing and doing their jobs. Today's practice was very physical, which was needed. From the offensive side, we just came out and wanted it."
Also getting in on the action Aug. 12 was Zylan Perry, who had a touchdown with some push from the offensive line and junior James Lewis and freshman Jayzon Thompson both had scores.
5. UC Bearcats walk-ons of note
A former walk-on himself, Scott Satterfield has always enjoyed having key walk-ons. Antwan Peek Jr., came from Indian Hill as a walk-on defensive back and now is a scholarship key defender at outside linebacker. Edge rusher Drew Logan was put on scholarship last year.
At tight end, Lyviel Waters of Winton Woods has turned heads and found the end zone in the Aug. 12 practice with the entire offense running out to celebrate.
On the defensive line, Nathan Nunn is a 6-foot-2, 282-pound junior whose father is edge-rushers coach Robert Nunn. The elder Nunn has 19 years of NFL experience, including a Super Bowl win with the Giants. He's also coached NFL Hall of Famers Bruce Smith and Jason Taylor.
"One of the bright spots is Nunn," Satterfield said. "He's a guy that can play all over the D-line. He's a walk-on guy that's earned his stripes. He'...
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