2024 Football Signing Day Recap with UC tight end signee Gavin Grover

by Ryan Roberts

On Wednesday afternoon, the Cincinnati Football program announced the addition of 21 high school signees, as well as 8 transfer additions. 

Coming off a 3-9 season, it was important for Scott Satterfield to add good football players, but also guys who come in with high character that are able to take coaching and buy in to the vision for this program and staff. 

One of the glaring weaknesses at times this past season was the lack of speed and athleticism at some of the skill positions. Scott Satterfield described how that need was addressed with the 2024 additions:

There were multiple high level athletes added to the 2024 roster, but the highest rated high school commit was 4-star McEachern (GA) cornerback Daniel James. 

 

 

 

Offensively,  6'6" 240 pound tight end Gavin Grover out of Olentangy (Lewis Center, OH) was the highest rated commit. 

Grover was an important addition, not only because of his ability on the field, but also because he brings the type of size, length, and athleticism needed to compete in the Big 12 at a position of need. 

Gavin took time to join the At Large Bid Bearcats Podcast to discuss his commitment to Cincinnati, what he will bring to the Bearcats' program, and also gives insight on the 2024 signing class, and what fans can expect from the newest crop of Bearcats.

Led by four-star quarterback Samaj Jones (Philadelphia, Pa. / St. Joseph's Prep), the Bearcats will welcome 10 early enrollees from the high school ranks next month.
 
Cincinnati Taft defensive back Quinton Price, tight end Devyn Zahursky (Berea / Midpark) as well as record-breaking running back Jakorion Caffey (Avon) and offensive lineman Jake Wheelock (Dayton / Stebbins) – the first commitment in the 2024 Class, are the four other signees from the state of Ohio. 
 
Wheelock, Grover and Zahursky will join Samaj Jones as early enrollees in January. Speedy Georgia wide receivers Dakarai Anderson (Perry, Ga) and Kale Woodburn (Warner Robins, Ga) will also arrive on campus in January to begin their collegiate careers. 

Anderson is coming off a state championship, the first in Perry program history. During his senior season, Dakarai set multiple school records with  87 receptions for 1,263 yards and four scores en route to Class 4A Region 2 Player of the Year honors. Dakarai finished high school career with 225 receptions for 3,406 yards and 32 total touchdowns, setting the school record for catches, yards and receiving touchdowns.

Anderson, Samaj Jones, Elijah Jones, Aiden Pastoriza (Jackson, MI), and Central (AL) defensive back Jiquan Sanks all won state championships during their senior season. 

Scott Satterfield described what a guy like Samaj Jones will add to the program at the quarterback position and discussed what the recruiting process was like for one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country:

Defensively, Cincinnati will also welcome defensive backs Willie Goodwyn (Rabun County, GA), Marquavius Saboor (Kell, GA), Zaravion "Gravy" Johnson (Clinton, SC) to pair with defensive linemen Garrison Butler (Jacksonville, FL), Marquaze Parker (West Memphis, AR), and Lendric Barber (McDonough, GA).

The linebacker position was solidified with the additions of Simeon Coleman (Baltimore, MD) and Montay Weedon (Washington D.C). 

The high school group Scott Satterfield and his staff are bringing in rank 51st nationally, while the transfer additions rank 28th.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby (Indiana), wide receiver Tony Johnson (FAU), running back Evan Pryor (Ohio State), and safety Kye Stokes (Ohio State) highlight the transfer group. 

Defensive ends Mikah Coleman (Eastern Michigan) and George Gumbs Jr (Northern Illinois) should give the Bearcat defense a boost off the edge and provide the type of speed, length, and athleticism that Cincinnati lacked this past season at times in terms of getting to the quarterback.

 

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