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Last Sept. 2, University of Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield rolled out his first offensive unit at Nippert Stadium featuring just one starter from the previous year.
That man was Gavin Gerhardt, who had also started the previous 13 games in 2022 at center. While Gerhardt and the offense fared well with a 2-0 early start, the team would go just 1-9 from there losing four close games by a combined total of 20 points.
The upside of the experience is all five offensive line starters from that 2023 opener vs. Eastern Kentucky return this season. From left is 6-foot-5, 320-pound tackle John Williams with 6-foot-4, 320-pound Dartanyan Tinsley at guard, 6-foot-4, 307-pound Gerhardt at center, 6-foot-4, 323-pound Luke Kandra at right guard and 6-foot-4, 318-pound Deondre Burford at tackles. Buford is the only junior, the rest are seniors.
UC Bearcat football players (from left) Luke Kandra, Corey Kiner and Gavin Gerhardt talk about rebooting the Bearcats for 2024.
“There’s still stuff that I need to improve on along with Kandra, DT (Tinsley), all of us,” Gerhardt said. “Even though it’s just summer workouts, we’re meeting and seeing what we can improve on technique-wise. It’s going to be really good for us.”
Gerhardt was a high school tackle who was recruited as a guard and now has played 25 consecutive games as the starting center.
Where’s the beef?
Pro Football Focus rates Kandra and Gerhardt among the Big 12’s top interior linemen.
PFF also puts Williams among the league’s best tackles. The Phil Steele publication is out soon with subscribers getting online access to the current edition. Steele lists Kandra as the No. 12 guard in the country and a Second Team Preseason All-American and tackle Williams at No. 38 in NCAA Division I football.
As a group, Steele puts the Bearcats offensive line No. 14, behind only…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-bearcats-football-earns-high-020536739.html
Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer
Publish date : 2024-06-13 02:05:36
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