Video: Dartanyan Tinsley and Phillip Wilder Discuss Camp Higher Ground and Practice #11

All off-season, it has been common knowledge that the Bearcats should once again be good up front on the offensive line.

All five starters chose to return after the group helped running back Corey Kiner rush for over 1,000 yards last season and finished top five nationally in rushing offense.

Guard Luke Kandra has received multiple preseason All American and All Conference honors, as well as Preseason Watch List nominations. 

Center Gavin Gerhardt was also named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding center. 

The unit has set lofty goals for this season to improve on the rushing totals from last season, but also have a team goal of winning the Joe Moore Award, which is awarded to the Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit. The group has the award in each of their lockers as a reminder of the expectations this season. 

Following Tuesday's practice, offensive linemen Dartanyan Tinsley and Phillip Wilder met with the media to discuss Camp Higher Ground and the expectations for a veteran group this season. 

News:

Defensive Tackle Jalen Hunt out for the season

Other news from camp included the announcement from Bearcatjournal's Chad Brendel that defensive tackle Jalen Hunt would be out for the season following a knee injury that required season ending surgery. 

A redshirt senior transfer from Michigan State, Hunt saw action in all 12 games last season and started the final game of the season in his first year with the Bearcats. 

With defensive end Mikah Coleman also being lost to a season ending injury and the status of All American Dontay Corleone still being up in the air while he recovers from blood clots, the group has become extremely thin. 

Freshmen Marquaze Parker, Lendrick Barber, and Garrison Butler have seen extended reps this camp and have all flashed against the first team offensive line. Parker had another good showing during today's practice and continues to look like a guy that will see extended reps into the season, regardless of how things pan out with Corleone. 

Cincinnati will return to practice on Wednesday at Camp Higher Ground for practice #12.