As we mentioned on Twitter earlier today, expect Fickell and his staff to place a real priority on recruiting the state of Ohio, especially the Cincinnati/Columbus area. We will continue today update this post as more reaction comes in.

Hawkins spoke very highly of the Bearcats in reaction to the Fickell hire. "It's definitely a big time hire. Fickell is a great coach and he is a great addition for the Bearcats. It's an exciting time in Cincinnati, he will definitely pull some big-time targets from the area. I will have no choice but to give my hometown a real good long look after this."

"I think it was a great hire for them. I think he will turn the program around a lot. Word around town is that I am going to be his number one target."

"Fickell is a great coach, I don't know him too well as a person, but with Coach Freeman on staff I will definitely consider Cincinnati if they want me." Freeman was part of the Purdue staff that recruited him.

Hmmmm, Fickell to UC🤔 — Malik Vann™❗️ (@_Next_Era1) December 10, 2016

Vann had a very strong relationship with Coach Fickell while he was with Ohio State. Definitely a name to watch.

"Good hire. I'm hoping for an offer man. I spoke with Fickell all the time when he was at OSU." He also has told me several times in the past that he would add the Bearcats to close to the top of the list were they to offer, and that was back in September.

Ellison openly has a very strong relationship with Coach Fickell, and though he is committed to the Bobcats of Ohio University, Ellison reacted to my message about the hire with the thinking emoji. 12/12 Update: Ellison thinks very highly of Fickell, and will visit Cincinnati if the Bearcats extend an offer. For now, though he is committed to the Bearcats.

Another recruit to keep an eye on, per sources, is Pick Central RB Morgan Ellison. Fickell had a great relationship with him while at OSU. — BearcatReport.com (@BearcatReport) December 10, 2016

Yager is currently on an official visit to West Virginia, but still took the time to respond to the news of the Fickell hire. "I'm gonna be on the phone with him when he lands in Cincinnati." 12/11 Update: Fickell made a great first impression on Yager, and Yager is now considering the Bearcats ahead of his announcement Monday at 3 PM.

Greene, who is on his official visit to the Bearcats this weekend, was pumped about the hire. "We are going to win. Everybody is going to get a clean slate with the new staff I am going to do my best to earn a spot." Also said he is extremely excited to meet Fickell, and to see who he brings in to run the offense. 12/12 Update: Greene will be signing with the Bearcats, more on our official visitor reaction post later.

Huber still seems to be waiting to find out which assistants will remain on staff. "I dont know much about him but any guy from Ohio State is a winner and hes going to surround himself with a staff Cincinnati will win with."



"This is a big hire for Cincinnati. I was able to talk with Fickell from time to time when he was at Ohio State, and his advice for me was to keep doing what i'm doing and I have time between now and my time to sign my NLI. Fickell is a great coach and an even better leader." Shields also said that he hopes to hear from Fickell and the Bearcats soon.

"I am 100 percent committed to being a Bearcat. I think this hire is great news! I don't know much about him but what I have heard has me excited for the future."

"This was a great pick up for Cincinnati. Lots of success coming for them in the coming years."

"I feel like he is going to have big impact on the city, the team, and the program."

"I feel like he can turn the program into something great. I am so glad he got the job. I would love an offer from the Bearcats. I would need to learn more about the program and players though." Forrest committed to Miami (OH) yesterday, but several recruiting analysts see him as a Power 5 talent.

"I think it's good. He is a good coach who can turn the program around and get them back on track." Bolden said he would like to hear from the new staff, but is unsure if he will.

"That's awesome. I feel like he will do big things there.

"I feel like it is going to be a new and fresh start. I can't wait to get there and be a Bearcat." Hines was one of the very few local athletes that were being recruited by the old staff.

"I am excited about the future of Cincinnati football.

"I am very excited. Looking forward to meeting him and the rest of the new coaches."

"I'm feeling real good about Cincinnati with the hire of Coach Fickell. He's a phenomenal coach, I am beyond excited to finally get in contact with him."

"I feel really good about it. I can see myself playing on both sides of the ball, being the Jabrill Peppers/ Chris Gamble of the Cincinnati team." McCaskill recently re-opened his recruitment after being committted to the Bearcats.

"I'm really just waiting to see what decisions Fickell is going to make. I am waiting to see if he is going to keep some of the coaches I was in touch with, and other stuff like that."

"Being a defensive guy I would love to have a defensive head coach, defenses win championship. I truly feel this was the best direction for the Bearcats." Wortham is committed to Bowling Green, but if the Bearcats were to show interest he would visit.

"I feel good about the hire. If they have LB spots left, I will commit. The coaches just need to contact me and let me know."

"I think it's cool for Cincinnati and I hope it works out for them. I'm fully committed to UVA though.

"Fickell is a pretty sweet hire for the Bearcats. I have only talked to him a couple of times but he is a real nice guy and a great coach."

"I met him several times. I think it is a great opportunity for him, he deserves it. Ohio State will miss him.

"Big Hire in my eyes! I feel like that experience he will have coming from such a storied program like the buckeyes that he can get UC back on the road to success. I would love an offer from the Bearcats. I've wanted to get offered from there for a while now and it would definitely shake up my recruiting in a good way. I went to their camp last year but I do know a corner that plays there now. Linden Stephens. I'm pretty close to him."

"He can turn the program around and pick up the spirits of Cincinnati since Tubs stepped down. I heard he's a good coach so he is perfect for the position."

"It was a great move. He is coming from being a Coach at a great program such as Ohio State. With me being a LB I feel great about him because of the guys he has coached at the same position as me."