Is this Scott Satterfield's 'best team' with Cincinnati Bearcats in Big 12 era?

FRISCO, TX – They are no longer the new team in the conference hoping to crash the party.

Two years after first appearing in Big 12 media days in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium, the Cincinnati Bearcats football program descended upon Frisco and The Ford Center at The Star Tuesday, July 8. They went from "Jerry's World", the home field of the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, to their practice facility some 40 minutes away in a planned community built for Cowboys organization.

UC came into the league at a partial share with UCF, Houston and BYU. Now they will receive anywhere from $37 million to $42 million in Big 12 revenue depending on which projections you believe. They will also have to hand out through revenue sharing approximately $20.5 million to their athletes after the House vs. NCAA ruling.

That, and it's the third year for head coach Scott Satterfield's staff − a time when most programs expect a return on their investment. With 39 new players (21 transfers and 18 freshmen) and a select group of returning players, the Bearcats hope to overcome the past two unsatisfying seasons.

UC started 2-0 in 2023, then finished 1-9 with four single-digit losses. Last season's 5-2 start was followed by five straight losses. A bitter pill was the Pitt loss in the second week when a 27-6 late third quarter fizzled in front of home fans at Nippert Stadium. And, there were three more single-digit losses.

Why is this Cincinnati Bearcats team different?

On paper and on the field, the Bearcats have the look of a Big 12 team, which wasn't the case two years ago.

They also return a healthy Dontay Corleone, a highly-valued nose tackle who was sidelined prior to last season with a blood clot in his lungs.

Tight end Joe Royer is projected as an NFL first-round draft pick by some and also returned. Both Corleone and Royer could have left for pro opportunities and both returned. Both are of the "hometown hero" variety with Corleone coming from Colerain High School and Royer from Elder.

Cincinnati Bearcats coach Satterfield talks of his 'best team'

It was repeated several times Tuesday and in other interviews leading up to Big 12 media days that this is the best crop of Cincinnati Bearcats Satterfield has brought into a season. Previous media polls the past two years had the Bearcats near the bottom. Though no official media poll was done for 2025, consensus is UC is no worse than middle of the pack.

"Because of the players that we brought back that have great experience in the Big 12," Satterfield said when asked why he's bullish on his Bearcats. 'Our leaders are right here today (Brendan Sorsby, Dontay Corleone, Joe Royer, Gavin Gerhardt), I think we did a great job in the portal to get positions of need. Also, this is the best chemistry we've had with the guys that are on our roster. It's a connected football team."

The connection was shared at a Frisco steakhouse Monday night with center Gerhardt and nose tackle Corleone ordering 32 oz. cuts. Corleone enjoyed his so much, he asked for one to go and no one blinked.

Sorsby and Royer have eaten their share of steaks in the offseason, trying to woo some of the new transfers to become Bearcats.

Cincinnati Bearcats AD John Cunningham sees 3rd year being pivotal

If the third try is the charm, UC AD John Cunningham is more than ready to see bowl-game success out of the 2025 UC Bearcats under Satterfield.

"I've used this analogy a couple times, but year three, they talk about 'moving day' in golf on the third day," Cunningham said. "Year three is our moving year. We've got to advance, we've got to start playing better. We saw signs last year. We've got to take those extra steps and win those close games. That's going to be really important to our year."

UC Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby ready to disprove doubters

Brendan Sorsby quickly resigned with the Cincinnati Bearcats after last season despite some other Power Four offers. He was integral in recruiting new offensive players. Though there's something to be said about flying under the radar, most UC personnel would disagree with a recent ranking of Big 12 quarterbacks listing Sorsby at No. 9.

"I wouldn't really say it's anything," Sorsby said shrugging off the list. "I've always had a little chipe on my shoulder. I've been kind of overlooked, maybe people didn't think as much of me as I think of myself. That's my job to go prove myself right."

Said Satterfield, "There's some great ones in this league, but he can be one of the best ones. He's got to play within himself and we have to have a great surrounding cast, which I think we do. He's got all the tools. He's got a quick release, he can run, he's strong, he's competitive."

Sorsby had the unique perspective Tuesday of being one of the few players on display who had actually played a game at the Ford Center at The Star. The Denton, Texas native's high school team once had a playoff game in the facility.

'The Godfather' Dontay Corleone is healthy

As indicated by his two-steak appetite, Corleone is healthy and was a popular interview guest on many of the shows broadcasting from The Star. Opposing players and coaches approach him.

Once the season begins, that's not always the case. At least that's what Corleone hopes.

"The hard work Niko (Football Performance Coach Palazeti) has put us through has helped us bond and that's going to go a long way," Corleone said.

He understands that teams may underestimate the Bearcats based on last year's late skid, but says that's in the past. Now a homeowner (he bought one for his mom) he has a positive outlook for the year.

"Buying a home at 22, coming from nothing, I wake up blessed every day," Corleone said.

UC tight end Joe Royer had a reason to return

Royer has met or already knows the tight ends that have made the NFL after being Cincinnati Bearcats. With an opportunity to leave for the 2025 NFL Draft, the Elder product joined Corleone in waiting for 2026.

"There's definitely a chip on our shoulder," Royer said. "I think we definitely are underrated and under-appreciated by the media, some of the things I'm seeing. We wouldn't want it any other way. We'll go out there and prove people wrong. I think the '25 Bearcats are going to be great."

UC veteran center Gavin Gerhardt thinks he can leave on high note

Gerhardt returns for an extra year and says the new offensive line could be better than recent offensive lines that led to Corey Kiner having back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

"I would say we're definitely underrated," Gerhardt said. "We try not to listen to the outside noise, but I'm really excited about this year with this team. We're very connected, very passionate about playing for one another and hopefully bringing a championship back to Cincinnati."

Counting his redshirt year of 2020, this will be Gerhardt's sixth season. He's been around long enough to have played four games during UC's 2021 College Football Playoff season which ended not far from Frisco with a Cotton Bowl loss to Alabama.

His road to returning to a bowl would come early July 9. The four Bearcats who came to Frisco will be due in for morning workouts. Gerhardt's alarm is set for 4:30 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats football big expectations for 3rd Big 12 season