Quarterback Ross Trail granted release from the University of Cincinnati football team

Ross Trail entered the University of Cincinnati as the top-rated recruit in the Bearcats' 2015 football class. Friday, word came that the junior quarterback officially will depart the UC program.

"He's leaving," UC coach Luke Fickell said Friday morning, via text to The Enquirer. "He has asked for a release and we will grant it to him."

Trail, a fourth-year junior from Wynne, Arkansas, has been a backup player for most of his UC career. With senior Hayden Moore essentially established as the 2018 starter and redshirt freshman Desmond Ridder pushing for the No. 2 job, Trail became concerned about his chances to play.

Trail last appeared on the field at an intrasquad scrimmage last Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium. As Moore sat out the scrimmage with a slightly sore arm, Ridder took the first snaps with the No. 1 offensive unit.

Trail did take some turns running the first team in the scrimmage, and he threw two touchdown passes. Ridder, sophomore Jake Sopko and true freshman Ben Bryant also got plenty of work, with Sopko and Bryant mostly running the Nos. 2/3 offensive units.

Moore returned to practice this week without complications, but Trail did not rejoin the team. Trail missed UC's practices Tuesday and Thursday with excused absences from Fickell, as Trail pondered his future.

Fickell said he is unsure where the quarterback might transfer. Trail has not mentioned any schools he might consider, Fickell said.

After Fickell spoke with The Enquirer on Friday morning, UC issued a press release that also confirmed Trail's departure.

"We appreciate Ross’ hard work and effort during his time as a Bearcat and wish him nothing but the best moving forward,” Fickell said in the press release.

NEXT UP: With Trail leaving, incoming freshman Yanez Rogers could fill the spot vacated by Trail at quarterback. Rogers is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound "athlete" and three-star recruit from Pompano Beach, Florida. Rogers played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at Blanche Ely High School.

"We told him he could try and play quarterback," Fickell said. "He might start off taking some snaps at quarterback. We thought he was a wide receiver originally, but he played quarterback in high school."

TRAIL'S CAREER: The 6-foot-2, 222-pound Trail arrived at UC as a three-star recruit and was the most highly rated prospect in the Bearcats' 2015 class, according to 247Sports.com. Trail redshirted that year.

As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Trail saw action in four games and made two starts (1-1 won-lost record). Trail completed 46-of-70 passes (65.7 percent) for 494 yards, with one touchdown pass and six interceptions. Trail also rushed for two touchdowns that year.

Moore was UC's primary quarterback in 2016, but Trail and since-departed Gunner Kiel also made some starts that season.

Entering 2017, Moore and Trail dueled for the job in summer camp until Trail was sidetracked by an abdominal strain. Moore eventually started all 12 games as UC went 4-8 for a second straight year. Trail appeared briefly in just two games in 2017, going 5-for-9 passing for 31 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Moore (Clay, Alabama), Trail and Sopko (Avon, Ohio) were signed by the previous Tommy Tuberville coaching staff at UC. Ridder (Louisville St. Xavier) and Bryant (La Grange, Illinois) were recruited by Fickell's staff.

FINAL PRACTICE: With rain forecast for Saturday, UC has moved its final 2018 spring practice to earlier in the day at Nippert Stadium.

The Bearcats will be on the field from 7:30-10 a.m., weather permitting. Practice is open to the public and will not be a traditional spring game, but some game situations will be included. The practice originally was to start at 11:30 a.m.

Concession stands will not be open Saturday, and the post-practice autograph session will be rescheduled.

Because of the time change, activities in the stadium's West Pavilion Scholarship Club Level are canceled. An event allowing patrons to explore premium seating options will be announced later this spring.