In the midst of a track meet at Gettler Stadium and a high school baseball game, the Sheakley Indoor Performance Facility was bouncing Saturday April 4, when the Cincinnati Bearcats held their first scrimmage of the spring.
Those allowed indoors to watch included facility namesake Larry Sheakley, who didn’t leave disappointed as the UC offense had some eye-popping plays through the air.
To be clear, the team was “tagging” and wrapping up, but not tackling so that tends to skew toward the offense. However, it was tough to not be impressed with new quarterback JC French IV, who threw for three touchdowns and finished with no turnovers in the competitive, controlled day of work.
“Each and every day, JC (French) gets a little more comfortable with what we’re trying to do,” head coach Scott Satterfield said. “We’re trying to keep it simple this spring offensively so they don’t have to think too much. I’ve been pleased with his accuracy. His completion percentage has been really high throughout practice. He’s played at a really high level.”
Two of French’s scoring passes went to redshirt junior receiver Malachi Henry, with Penn transfer quarterback Liam O’Brien hurling a third to Henry.
“Every day has been important to continue learning,” said French, who came to UC after starring at Georgia Southern for three years, becoming the school’s all-time passing leader.
“You can really pick up on some little things when going against the defense. We were explosive today. It was nice seeing the receivers making plays down the field. It definitely makes my job a lot easier.”
UC ran over 100 plays on the day, with Satterfield admitting he missed a few touchdown catches as he was already looking at the sheet to call the next play. Different offensive and defensive lines were used as four quarterbacks alternated.
“It was good to get some different scenarios today,” Satterfield said. “We ended up with some red zone, kicked some field goals and did a little bit of special teams. I thought it was good overall on both sides of the ball.”
Another UC find from Central Arkansas
Two years ago, 6-foot-4, 240-pound future linebacker Jake Golday arrived from Central Arkansas. Last year’s leading tackler is likely to be UC’s first player chosen in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place later this month.
Henry, from Van Buren, Arkansas, played a year with Golday and carefully followed his progress here.
“I love to see him work,” Henry said. “When I saw him go through the process, choose Cincinnati, then see the great career he had here, that was a really big factor in my process.”
The 6-foot, 205-pounder had 110 catches for 15 touchdowns in two seasons at Central Arkansas and was swayed to the Bearcats by quarterback French, who reached out once he signed. The two worked out numerous times before spring ball began.
“He was one of the first guys I really communicated with on campus,” French said. “We’ve got a little chemistry going. It was good to see him make some plays out there today.”
Henry showed separation on this Saturday, but he’ll admit the Bearcats have faster options. In particular, Isaiah Johnson.
“I haven’t seen a whole lot of people move like that in person,” Henry said. “He can fly. I still don’t think I’ve seen him run full speed yet.”
Johnson continues to show his elusiveness with several key catches and a touchdown reception from freshman Brooks Goodman. Johnson’s speed measured by UC’s Catapult system is in the “high 22s” (mph).
Currently, Johnson and receiver Cade Wolford are the quickest on the team with their Catapult times equating to a 40-yard dash in the 4.3 to 4.5 second range. Wolford also continued to demonstrate his playmaking ability mainly working with quarterback Samaj Jones.
Other notable UC touchdowns
Notre Dame transfer Gi’Bran Payne appears to have the ability to carry defenders with him, which should prove useful this fall. Payne scored and Zion Johnson was the first running back used, but the run game wasn’t utilized as much as it may be later as Stanford transfer Cole Tabb and Louisiana transfer Zylan Perry were held out for the day. Both are expected back within a week.
In addition to Henry and Isaiah Johnson, French hit redshirt sophomore Elijah Jones for a score and O’Brien had a touchdown toss to Williamsburg High walk-on Pierce Ayers. South Dakota transfer Larenzo Fenner and redshirt freshman Giyahni “Gio” Kontosis also had notable catches.
What about UC’s defense?
The new-look defense under first-year defensive coordinator Nate Woody stopped the offense on consecutive possessions to start the scrimmage. Had there been actual tackling, some plays may have turned out differently.
Bowling Green transfer MJ Cannon at 6-foot-3, showed some speed in preventing a touchdown run by James Minor, while 6-foot-2 cornerback Zay “Gravy” Johnson picked off Samaj Jones in the end zone.
Veteran Jonathan Thompson added a fumble recovery, and Marquavious Saboor had a key “sack” stopping an offensive drive in the red zone.
Quarterbacks were ruled down by touch, so there may or may not have been multiple sacks, depending on the quarterback’s ability to escape. Come April 18 for the Spring Showcase, only freshman Brooks Goodman will be “live” with the rest of the QBs being protected.
UC special teams
The Bearcats mainly tried long field goals with Stephan Rusnak going 2-of-3 on kicks from 47 yards. After missing one, he connected on the next two. They changed the hashmark on each kick.
Max Fletcher, the holder, did get some punts in for practice, with none of them returned. In the Sheakley Indoor Performance Facility, it’s not unusual for Fletcher to bang the steel girders on the roof with his soaring boots.
What’s next for Cincinnati Bearcats?
Five more practices are scheduled before the noon April 18 Spring Showcase at Nippert Stadium. You may see some future, current or past NFL talent there. At the April 4 practice, receiver Chris Moore, most recently with the Washington Commanders, was there along with Green Bay Packers draft pick John Williams. Dontay Corleone was there as he awaits the draft and Joe Royer has been spotted. Antwan Peek, who played for the Texans and Browns, is a regular as he watches UC’s top returning tackler, Antwan Peek Jr., in action.
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Cincinnati’s NFL Alumni Attend PracticeSaturday’s practice featured current NFL players Chris Moore, a wide receiver most recently with the Washington Commanders, and John Williams, an offensive tackle who was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. The facility’s namesake, Larry Sheakley, a leading Cincinnati Athletics supporter, was also in attendance. Former NFL player and UC Hall of Famer Antwan Peek Sr. was also on hand, keeping a close eye on the defense, where his son, Antwan Peek Jr., is a team leader and redshirt senior.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats football shows big-play capabilities in April 4 scirimmage
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
