RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Three weeks away from playing a team not wearing red and black, the Cincinnati Bearcats have picked up the physical intensity of practice, albeit indoors.
Friday, Aug. 14, it didn't rain in the morning, but the threat was enough to move training camp work to the Sheakley Indoor Performance Facility for a third straight practice. The upside is the players step out of the locker room and are almost immediately on the playing surface. Had the Bearcats been at Camp Higher Ground, they would have no choice but to adjust their schedule and wait for storms to pass.
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After spending the first week of camp at Nippert Stadium, August weather did not interrupt the schedule thanks to the $134 million facility.
Indoors, it was a competitive week with a few skirmishes. No one seems terribly worried about them as the white shirts on offense join forces with the black shirts on defense on Sept. 5 at Nippert vs. Boston College at 3:30 p.m.
5 takeaways from UC Bearcats indoor work Aug. 14
1. UC Bearcats defensive lineman Marquaze Parker is media-friendly
Junior defensive lineman Marquaze Parker, who earlier described playing against UC's offensive line as "monsters vs. monsters.", is someone to be watched and heard. After the Friday, Aug. 14 practice as right tackle Judea Milon was being interviewed, Parker snuck up on the media scrum and asked Milon a question.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Parker asked the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Milon what it was like going up against "that monster Marquaze Parker." Milon didn't break stride and answered.
"I love that guy!" Milon said. "He gives me work every day. He makes me better every day. He's got that No. 4 on now; he's just a changed man."
Parker's follow-up was, "Word on the street he's going First Team All-Conference; how do you feel about that?"
Milon, before waving Parker off, said, "I hope he does. That's my dog."
Parker is often chatting up someone, if not talking on the field during battle. UC's media department often does "mic'd up" practices with certain players and coaches. There's no doubt Parker will soon be featured.
2. UC right tackle Judea Milon blossoms as 5th-year player
Milon has been described as a highlight of the spring practices and this camp. Milon came from the junior college ranks and has bided his time. He got in 12 games last season after missing 2024 due to injury and not playing in 2023.
He's been friends with Preseason All-American Evan Tengesdahl and that may have helped him pick up his work ethic.
"It was a big step," Milon said. "They already knew I had the ability and the talent; I just had to keep showing it every day. Niko (Director of Football Performance Palazeti) and Stone (Dr. Jason Stone, Sports Science) pushed me hard, the hardest I've ever been pushed since I've been here. Me stacking days and buying into the program helped me become a way better player than I could ever be."
3. Bearcats' helmets flew on front lines
A theme during the week indoors was competitive scuffles. Before their weekend scrimmage, helmets on both sides of the line came off, and several Bearcat behemoths had to be separated. Within reason, the coaching staff doesn't mind a touch of attitude.
"It's just work, man, bullets flying," Milon said. "This is going to happen. Afterward, it's all love. Helmets may be flying, but at the end of the day, you just dap each other up. We're teammates."
4. Who will be UC's starting running back?
Early in the week, it was Gi'Bran Payne and Zion Johnson breaking some long runs. Later in the week, Zylan Perry did it frequently and right now, it's anyone's guess who might start.
What's apparent is that several may play.
In terms of returning numbers, Perry has racked up the most the past three seasons with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. He ran for 689 yards last season and 695 the year before. In 2023, he was the NCAA FBS leader in kick returns with 862 yards.
"I didn't see Perry do much in the spring, but he's had some good days," UC head coach and playcaller Scott Satterfield said.
A lot of it may come down to pass protection and who can best a chip defenders making a beeline toward quarterback JC French IV.
5. UC's slot receivers are potent weapons
Kent State transfer Cade Wolford has been a weapon with his speed in most practices and Central Arkansas transfer Malachi Henry is somewhat of a Swiss Army knife for UC's offense.
Returning at slot is Isaiah Johnson, who had 14 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns last season. Johnson, like Wolford, can fly and you can see the Bearcats getting short passes or pop passes to either one for long gains.
"This year I'm going to show them more that I'm a true receiver," Johnson said. "I came late (last year) in June and had to pick up the playbook. This year, I'm a lot more comfortable. I actually worked with Cyrus (Allen, fifth-round draft pick of the Chiefs). I feel like my IQ got a little better, my footwork, speed and overall route-running."
Johnson averaged 15.9 yards per reception last season, second only to deep threat Caleb Goodie, who was at 16.7 yards. Goodie transferred to Missouri, but UC has ample replacements in JV Gibson, Gio Kontosis and several young receivers with lanky frames and good hands.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 takeaways from rainy week of practice for Cincinnati Bearcats
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