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With a Bowl Game on the horizon, Cincinnati football have added their 16th and 17th Verbal Commitments for the 2016 class with offensive tackle Kendall Calhoun making his announcement yesterday and wide receiver Devin Gray committing on Monday night. Both players come from the JUCO ranks and are part of an impressive 2016 class with National Signing Day inching closer in February.
Wide Receiver Devin Gray
— Devin Gray (@DGray10) December 8, 2015
Gray is a JUCO recruit from Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. The receiver is 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 185 pounds. The Sparks, NV (Edward C Reed) product was a big-time player for the Wolverines this season, pulling in 69 catches for 1,154 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Gray is an under-the-radar player in recruiting circles only receiving scholarships from Georgia State and Middle Tennessee State during the recruiting process. Still, Rivals has Gray rated as a two-star with a 5.4 Rivals rating. Offensive line coach Darren Hiller and wide receivers coach Blake Rolan spearheaded Gray's recruitment.
In the highlights below, you see a very talented player who possesses good deep speed and has solid hands. At 6-foot-2, Gray has the size to go up and fight for jump balls, yet still has a lower center of gravity giving him a little shiftiness. It is rather surprising that he only attracted the attention of a couple FBS schools. He looks like a solid receiver who should contribute sooner rather than later for the Bearcats. This looks like a great addition to the 2016 Class if he sticks with Cincinnati through National Signing Day.
Offensive Tackle Kendall Calhoun
Officially committed to the University of Cincinnati! #GoBearcats ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/3ok3uFqnMk
— ♠️Kendall Calhoun♠️ (@YaBoiKennyKen) December 8, 2015
Calhoun is the most recent of the JUCO additions, making his announcement yesterday. Calhoun, a Paducah, KY (Paducah Tilghman) product, played for Lackawanna C.C. in Scranton, PA. A three-star recruit, the 6-foot-7, 290 pound prospect has an 81 Composite rating on 247Sports. Calhoun also received a 5.4 from Rivals.
Hiller spearheaded the competitive recruiting effort for Cincinnati. Boise State, Buffalo, Houston, Idaho, Middle Tennessee State, Monmouth, Purdue, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy and UAB all offered Calhoun. Arizona State, Illinois, Oklahoma and West Virginia were all linked to Calhoun, but none have made offers yet.
Calhoun's size jumps off the screen when you take a look at the highlights below. He has a high motor and moves around with great quickness. This looks like another great player to add to the 2016 class as Calhoun looks like the type of player you could see develop into a very good starter during his Cincinnati career. There is a lot to like about this commitment.