Cincinnati Football National Signing Day Recap

Head Coach Scott Satterfield and the Cincinnati Football program announced the signing of 19 future Bearcats Wednesday afternoon.

Satterfield and General Manager Zach Grant met with the media to recap National Signing Day and discuss the 2025 recruiting class.

The Bearcats signed nine offensive players and ten on the defensive side of the ball.

While the focus last off season was to add more speed to the roster, the primary focus with the 2025 class was to add more size.

"I think about this class, probably the biggest thing that we went out after was size," Satterfield told media Wednesday afternoon. " We had 12 players that are 6-foot-3 or better, going to look more like Big 12 type players when you think about length and size."

Freshmen from the 2024 class played in over 900 snaps, with the majority of that experience coming on the defensive side of the ball this season.

"We'll be counting on some of these guys to come in here and help us next year."

The 2025 class is headlined by Upper Marlboro (MD) wide receiver Giyahni "Geo" Kontosis. 

Kontosis helped lead Riverdale Baptist to a 9-0 season and finished his senior year with 1,099 yards and 13 touchdowns on 59 catches. Geo is primarily known for his play-making ability with his speed and route-running while also showing good open field burst to get away from defenders.

Running back Zion Johnson (Covington, GA) was a Georgia Coaches Association All State selection and rushed for 5,130 yards and 44 touchdowns during his high school career. Johnson finished his senior season with 2,078 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

Quarterback Zeb Kinsey (Toronto, OH) earned Ohio Division VI Co-Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 2,653 yards and 23 touchdowns while also rushing for 833 yards and 12 touchdowns. On3 ranks Kinsey as the 16th best dual-threat quarterback nationally. 

Defensive back Patrick Williams (Rabun Gap, GA) and linebacker CJ Crite (Lincoln County, GA) are the two highest rated defensive signees.

Williams was an NCISAA Division I First Team All-State selection while also helping his team to a state championship. During his career, Williams totaled 143 tackles and 10 interceptions, with six of those coming during his junior season. 

Williams is joined by safeties Jamari Johnson (Pell City, AL) and CJ Jones (Bolingbrook, IL).

Johnson was previously committed to Troy, prior to flipping to Cincinnati. 

As a senior, Crite tallied 119 total tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. For his career, he totaled 447 tackles. At 6-foot-1 195 lbs, Crite was also utilized on offense, finishing with 56 catches, 1,226 yards, and 14 touchdowns during his final season. 

A versatile athlete that plays with extreme aggression, Crite is expected to slot in at the STAR position in Tyson Veidt's three-high safety look. 

6-foot-3 linebackers Myles Harrison (Pickerington Central, OH) and Terrell Holcomb (Gahanna Lincoln, OH) also signed with Cincinnati this morning.

Harrison chose the Bearcats after flipping from Buffalo earlier this week.

Cincinnati signed eight linemen total, four on offense, four on defense. 

Glenbrook North (IL) offensive lineman Samuel Paich is the highest rated offensive line commit for Coach Nic Cardwell, with a 247sports rating of 87.

Paich was named one of the top offensive linemen in the Great Lakes Region by Maxpreps.

Joining Paich in Cincinnati's offensive line class are Zach Taylor (Camden County, GA), Jeremiah Kelly (Avon, OH), and Marcus McGregor (West Des Moines, IA).

Both Kelly and McGregor made state championship game appearances during the senior season. 

The Bearcats addressed the need for more length and athleticism along the defensive line with Covington (GA) defensive ends Tim Griffin (6-foot-5 255 lbs), North Side (IN) and James Early (6-foot-6 230 lbs), as well as Elkhart (IN) defensive lineman CD McFee (6-foot-5 296 lbs) and Campbell (GA) defensive lineman Kamron Neal (6-foot-4 245 lbs).

Neal is the younger brother of Iowa State starting offensive tackle, James Neal.

Griffin is a Rivals' four-star recruit and the nation's No. 21 defensive end prospect. 

After signing four-star tight end Gavin Grover last season, tight ends coach Josh Stepp contineed to add size, talent, and athleticism to his room with the additions of 6-foot-5 athlete Ka'Maurri Smith (Wayne, OH) and 6-foot-5 East Paulding (GA) tight end, DaMari Witherspoon. 

With the transfer portal opening next week, Satterfield and Grant both expect wide-receiver, pass-rush, and defensive back to be the primary focus to plug any holes from senior departures and transfers.

So far, Cincinnati has seen offensive lineman Jonathon Harder, defensive back DJ Taylor, defensive tackle Garrison Butler, and kicker Carter Brown enter the transfer portal.

Cincinnati's recruiting class currently ranks 64th nationally.