Kiner, Offensive line Returning

Scott Satterfield and his staff received big news on Thursday when running back Corey Kiner announced that he was returning for his senior season.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 🤝🏾💯 pic.twitter.com/R2fUHYpAnz

— 21k.cbandz (@CoreyKiner) November 30, 2023

𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 (it) 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 @CoreyKiner #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/FwELqlpbgS

— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 30, 2023

Kiner is coming off a junior season in which he rushed for 1,047 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Kiner's rushing total ranked 8th in the Big 12 this past season, while the 5.5 yards per carry was good for 6th in the conference among rushers with at least 150 carries. 

Even more important, the entire offensive line will return for the 2024 season. 

Redshirt junior Gavin Gerhardt was the lone offensive returning starter coming in to the 2023 season. Scott Satterfield and Nic Cardwell surrounded Gerhardt with Louisville transfer Luke Kandra and Kentucky transfer Deondre Buford, while elevating senior Dartanyan Tinsley and juniors Philip Wilder and Jon Williams in to starting roled.

That group helped lead one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Cincinnati ranked 5th nationally in rushing yards (2,605) and yards per game (217).

For an offense that struggled at times this season, it was important to return some continuity heading in to the 2024 season. With Kiner and the offensive line returning, Satterfield now has an offensive identity that he can continue to build off of heading in to winter workout and spring ball.

Transfer portal updates:

,The transfer portal window opens on December 4th, unless you are a grad transfer or player on a team whose coach left. Under those two circumstances, you are free to be contacted with the recruiting dead period ending today. 

Below is a list of all of the players from this year's roster who have made their intentions public that they will be transferring:

-TE Chamon Metayer

- RB Myles Montgomery

- RB Stephan Byrd

- WR Donovan Ollie

- WR Ty Perkins

- WR Chris Scott

- OT Cam Jones

- OL Luke Dalton

- OL Mao Glynn

- DL Justin Wodtly

- DL CJ Doggette

- OLB/DL Jahmal Williams

- OLB Deshawn Pace

- CB Sammy Anderson

- CB Justin Harris

- S Isiah Cox

- S Bryon Threats

- S George Udo

- LS Cayson Pfeiffer

While it is always tough to see kids move on, most of these were expected with very few surprises. This is a coaching staff that wants to build a player led culture that promotes accountability amongst one another. Players transferring out is all a part of that process. 

Coming off a season where your team finished 3-9, some of these conversations can be difficult between the players and coaches, but are necessary to continue to build and grow the program that Scott Satterfield envisions.