Cincinnati Football Transfer Portal Update
Cincinnati has been aggressive in the transfer portal as it reshapes its roster following the 2025 season. With major departures across the depth chart, the Bearcats have targeted experience, production, and upside at nearly every position group. Below is a position-by-position breakdown of Cincinnati’s transfer portal additions.
Quarterback
JC French – Georgia Southern
Cincinnati found its answer at quarterback with the addition of JC French, a proven dual-threat passer from Georgia Southern. The graduate transfer has one year of eligibility remaining and steps in following Brendan Sorsby’s departure to Texas Tech.
French leaves Georgia Southern as the program’s all-time passing leader after starting for two seasons. In 2025, he threw for 2,929 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 63.8% of his passes. He also added a significant rushing element, carrying the ball 133 times for 315 yards and six touchdowns.
French showed clear growth from 2024 to 2025, improving both efficiency and decision-making. He eclipsed 300 passing yards three times last season, including a 352-yard performance against Appalachian State. His mobility and ability to stress defenses align well with Scott Satterfield’s offensive philosophy as Cincinnati continues to rebuild its supporting cast around him.
Running Back
Gi’Bran Payne – Notre Dame
Cincinnati made a splash by bringing home Gi’Bran Payne, a Cincinnati native and La Salle High School product. Payne was a highly regarded recruit who began his career at Notre Dame after initially committing to Indiana.
Payne’s career was slowed by an ACL injury that cost him the 2024 season, but he returned in 2025 as a depth piece behind Heisman candidate Jeremiyah Love. Despite limited carries, he was one of Notre Dame’s most efficient backs and served as the team’s primary third-down option. Payne has two years of eligibility remaining and brings pass protection, receiving ability, and familiarity with high-level competition.
Cole Tabb – Stanford
Tabb adds speed and versatility to the running back room after two seasons at Stanford. He appeared in 15 games and was part of a balanced backfield, rushing 114 times for 445 yards and three touchdowns.
Tabb’s best outing came against Florida State, where he rushed for 118 yards. Known for his quickness and elusiveness, he also brings familiarity with Cincinnati’s roster as a former high school teammate of wide receiver Isaiah Johnson. Tabb will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Zylan Perry – Louisiana
Cincinnati continued to stockpile depth with the addition of Zylan Perry from Louisiana. Perry is a physical runner who produced back-to-back strong seasons for the Ragin’ Cajuns, rushing for 689 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025 after posting 695 yards in 2024.
Perry led the FBS in kick-return yards during his redshirt-freshman season and led Louisiana in all-purpose yards (1,164) during his redshirt sophomore season.
At 5’11”, 205 pounds, Perry combines power with enough speed to break chunk plays, including a 110-yard performance against Eastern Michigan. His commitment adds stability to a running back room that also saw former Bearcat Manny Covey enter the portal.
Cade Wolford – Kent State
While listed as a running back, Cade Wolford brings a hybrid skill set that allows him to make an impact at multiple positions within Scott Satterfield's offense. The Jackson, Ohio native functioned as a slot/RB at Kent State, rushing for 96 yards while catching 19 passes for 509 yards at an explosive 26.8 yards per reception.
Wolford earned an 80.3 PFF grade on limited snaps and consistently created big plays downfield. He will be a redshirt sophomore in 2026 with three years of eligibility remaining and adds creativity to Cincinnati’s offensive weaponry.
Wide Receiver
Larenzo Fenner – South Dakota
Cincinnati’s receiver rebuild began in a big way with Larenzo Fenner, who arrives from South Dakota after a dominant 2025 season. Fenner posted 1,001 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 44 receptions, averaging an eye-popping 22.8 yards per catch.
Fenner chose Cincinnati despite interest from Missouri and Syracuse and immediately projects as a potential WR1. With Isaiah Johnson returning as the most experienced holdover, Fenner fills a massive void left by the departures of Cyrus Allen, Jeff Caldwell, Caleb Goodie, and Noah Jennings.
A Second Team All-Conference selection this past season, Fennell is a former teammate of returning Cincinnati offensive lineman, Joe Cotton.
Malachi Henry – Central Arkansas
The Bearcats added another proven producer in Malachi Henry, who has been a key contributor over the past two seasons at Central Arkansas. Henry totaled 110 career receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns and is coming off a breakout 2025 campaign with 69 catches, 889 yards, and 10 scores.
Henry recorded four 100-yard games last season and brings verified speed with a reported 4.3-second 40-yard dash. At 6’1”, 190 pounds, he pairs polished route running with vertical ability and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive Line
Thomas Johnson – North Carolina Central (Defensive End)
Cincinnati addressed a major need up front by landing Thomas Johnson, one of the most productive pass rushers in the FCS. Johnson recorded 12 sacks and 49 tackles in 2025, earned MEAC First Team honors, and was named an FCS All-American.
Standing 6’3”, 255 pounds, Johnson posted a dominant 92 pass-rush grade from PFF and consistently disrupted opposing offenses with 14 quarterback hurries. He will be a redshirt senior in 2026 with one year of eligibility remaining and is expected to play a key role immediately.
Chidera Otutu – UTSA (Nose Tackle)
Interior depth arrived in the form of Chidera Otutu, a 6’1”, 305-pound nose tackle from UTSA. Otutu posted 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 2025 and brings valuable size to a defensive line that lost Dontay Corleone, Jalen Hunt, and Mikah Coleman.
Otutu has three years of eligibility remaining and could be a central piece depending on Cincinnati’s defensive scheme under a new coordinator after Tyson Veidt departed Cincinnati for Penn State.
Josh Hough – California (PA) (Defensive Tackle)
Cincinnati also dipped into the Division II ranks to add Josh Hough, who produced 58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Hough adds depth and versatility to the interior rotation as the Bearcats continue to rebuild the trenches.
Linebacker
Damaine Wilson – Georgia State
The Bearcats added athleticism with Damaine Wilson, a former Sun Belt Honorable Mention selection. Wilson recorded 39 tackles as a true freshman in 2024 before injuries limited him to three games in 2025.
Primarily a WILL linebacker at 6'2" 230 lbs, Wilson has three years of eligibility remaining and joins a returning group that includes Jonathan Thompson, Simeon Coleman, Montay Weedon, and Brian Simms.
Wilson was a 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-Sun Belt- Fourth Team selection.
Filip Maciorowski – Northern Illinois
Filip Maciorowski brings production and versatility after posting 87 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Northern Illinois in 2025. At 6’3”, 225 pounds, he has experience at multiple linebacker spots and even off the edge.
Maciorowski’s athletic background includes playing wide receiver in high school. His versatility allows him to be used in multiple roles within the Cincinnati defense. He reportedly hit over 22 mph during a game. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Patrick Bauer (Illinois State)
At 6'3", 225 pounds, Bauer offers ideal size, length, and versatility at the linebacker position. The Illinois native completed his redshirt sophomore season with 67 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions, playing a key role in leading the Redbirds to the FCS National Championship game.
Defensive Back
MJ Cannon – Bowling Green (Cornerback)
Cincinnati’s first defensive back addition was MJ Cannon, a 6’3”, 205-pound corner who started all 12 games for Bowling Green in 2025. Cannon earned Third Team All-MAC honors after posting 57 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions.
Prior to Bowling Green, Cannon appeared in 24 games while at Illinois State, earning second-team All-MVC honors in 2024 after notching 83 tackles, three interceptions, 13 passes defended and 3.5 tackles for loss
Cannon brings physicality and experience to a cornerback room that lost both starters after the 2025 season.
KK Meier – UTSA (Cornerback)
KK Meier adds depth and flexibility after spending the 2025 season at UTSA. The 6’0”, 190-pound corner recorded five pass breakups and brings experience from both UTSA and Nevada as Cincinnati looks to rebuild its corner rotation.
The Lubbock, TX native closed the 2025 season totaling 25 tackles with five pass breakups.
Jacob Finley – Northern Illinois (Cornerback)
Another Northern Illinois addition, Jacob Finley, brings consistency after three straight seasons with 30-plus tackles. Finley logged 57 tackles and seven pass breakups in 2025 and played the majority of his snaps at cornerback. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Jasper Beeler – Northern Illinois (Safety)
Cincinnati addressed a need at safety with Jasper Beeler, who recorded 39 tackles and three interceptions for NIU in 2025. At 6’2”, 194 pounds, Beeler brings size, range, and one year of eligibility to a thin safety room.
Ty Goodwill – South Alabama (Safety)
The Bearcats rounded out their safety additions with Ty Goodwill, South Alabama’s highest-graded defender in 2025. Goodwill earned an 83.6 coverage grade from PFF and brings two years of eligibility, length, and experience to a secondary undergoing major change.
Despite entering his junior season, Goodwill brings a lot of experience having appeared in nine games as a true freshman while at South Alabama. He finished with 32 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and one interception during the 2025 season.