Luke Fickell’s 2019 recruiting cycle after the early signing period isn’t going to have the big names that the 2018 recruiting cycle. Instead the overall talent of the cycle is stronger from top to bottom than the 2018 cycle and has some prospects who have a chance to really leave their mark on the Cincinnati football program.

Below, the Bearcat Journal has the scouting reports and thoughts on all 12 of the commits who will sign during the early period.

Harris is probably the gem of the 2019 recruiting cycle and a guy the staff had been recruiting for two years before he committed. He was a prospect the staff saw at one of their camps and knew nothing about. It’s been a long time since that point, Harris is the best defensive back I have seen in a camp circuit. He has the ability to actually play either corner or safety at the next level if he wants to. The 6-foot, 182-pounder will have a chance to come in and compete for rotation in a very young and talented defensive back group.

Jones is an interesting prospect and he was one of the first commits of the cycle. He’s a guy at 6-foot-8, 255-pounds that people are going to be interested in to play offensive tackle, tight end or even defensive line. However, even though many would like him to get a chance to continue his career at quarterback, his destination is at offensive tackle. He has the quick feet and athletic ability to be a future NFL draft pick. A prospect who will likely be redshirted his first year, but has a lot of potential.

The latest Cincinnati commit is one who definitely flew under the radar for most of his senior season. Despite putting up some serious numbers at Reitz Memorial High School, 10,805 total passing yards, 127 touchdowns and turned around his high school from a 2-8 team to a 8-2 team. He has a lot of raw talent and a cannon for an arm. There is little to no doubt that he will be redshirted, but the potential is there. His rating has went from a .82 to a 85 since scouts have seen his film.

I’m a big fan of Hawthorne and his film, he’s a true pass-rushing defensive end who always seems to know how to get to the quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder continues in the recent trend of long and lengthy defensive ends to Cincinnati. He is the best defensive linemen the staff is bringing in for the 2019 recruiting cycle.

Hummel is one of the local guys Luke Fickell and his staff added to their class. He’s built like an inside linebacker, but moves like an outside linebacker. At 6-foot-3, 235-pounds he is a perfect fit the “jack” position that Ethan Tucky currently plays at Cincinnati. The staff continues to add quality depth to that spot.

Ruffin was a guy that never got the hype or attention when he committed that he deserved, mainly because when he took his visit nobody had ever heard of him. But he has some elite length and pass-rushing ability. The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder will have to put some bulk on him and be developed a bit.

Between Dorian Holloway and Justin Harris I think I might be a little higher on Tucker and I have been saying that since I laid eyes on him at the Nike Opening Regional in Canton. There is nobody faster in this cycle with a 4.37 forty and has the type of pure speed the roster just doesn’t have right now. His route-running will need some work, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed in a relatively quick time. The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder I believe will be battling Jayshon Jackson for the slot position all fall camp and at the very least he will contribute in the return game his freshman year.

Cincinnati has Harris, who is going to be the complete package as a corner. But Gardner is going to bring the length and size the staff is looking for at cornerback now. He played receiver too for his high school, so the hands and ability to be fast in space is going to be there. The 6-foot-2, 163-pounder will have a year to sit and learn before competing for some time.

Dingle will be a prospect who continues to fill more depth behind guys like Darrick Forrest and Ja’von Hicks at the strong safety position. I like how he comes downhill and attacks the ball on his film. Really is an aggressive player who loves to hit. He will have to work a bit on his pass coverage because at times he gets lost. He didn’t play most of his senior season due to an injury, he had surgery and he is expected to be at 100-percent come summer.

Holloway is going to be a freak at Cincinnati when it is his time. At 6-foot-4, 190-pounds he has the speed to play safety, but the frame and strengthen to play outside linebacker. He’s the perfect combination for the sniper role in Marcus Freeman’s defense. Michigan State and other programs were sniffing around his recruitment until he couldn’t play any more of his senior season due to OHSAA transfer rules.

When Phillips first committed, I was a bit surprised and I didn’t like the staff taking him. He was a guy who was 6-foot-3, 210-pounds as a junior who played tight end most of time. There was no film of him and his new 6-foot-3, 280-pound frame at defensive tackle, the spot the staff was taking him at. But, again Luke Fickell and his staff made the right choice, he was a great addition. The way he moves for a guy his size is impressive, playing essentially an OLB at Colerain and being able to cover in space. He has a lot of talent in front of him, but he’s a guy to keep an eye on.

Ingle was the first commit of the cycle and a guy who played a heavy part in recruiting a lot of the current commits. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder reminds me a lot of Ty Van Fossen from last year’s cycle, but I think he’s a little more athletic and has some speed. I project him to end up at inside linebacker for the Bearcats.

I believe Cincinnati has brought in a pretty good top to bottom 2019 recruiting cycle. It’s not going to have the big names or the numbers that last year’s had, but the average player ranking is only off by a point (.84, 2018 to .83, 2019). They have about three guys from the early signing period that can compete for time in Justin Harris, Dorian Holloway and Tre Tucker. But a lot of these other guys will likely have to wait, the 2018 recruiting cycle created a solid two-deep at many positions for the future. Regardless, they continue to build their defensive back room, offensive line and adding more speed. All three of those were major concerns when the staff came in two years ago.

From here, they have 5 spots open and are going to be filled with the best possible options. If I was guessing, it’s likely they take (from the high school ranks) 1 receiver for sure, 1 OL and the best possible defensive prospect. They would then have the last two for transfers.