UC Football’s 2018 Signing Class Includes 4-Star Tight End and Tavion Thomas

Now that there are two signing periods, there was a little less pomp and circumstance yesterday during the traditional National Signing Day. But that doesn’t mean the Cincinnati Bearcats weren’t busy adding to the roster and bringing in future stars and depth options.

Back in December, during the early signing day, the Bearcats made some major moves, including the official signing of Malik Vann and the flip of Meechi Harris. They improved their standing in the national recruiting rankings yesterday by signing a few more players. UC’s 2018 class is ranked No. 47 in the country and is easily the best in the American Athletic Conference.

Here are the new members of the Bearcats football family.

Tavion Thomas, RB

Thomas was one the most high profile signees yesterday. The No. 18 running back in the 2018 class, Thomas was being courted by a number of big-time programs but the rusher from Dunbar, Ohio went with the Bearcats. A three-star prospect, Thomas picked UC over Ohio State and Oklahoma, among others.

Myjai Sanders, DE

We’ll head to the Sunshine State for our next signee. Sanders will join a burgeoning group of talented defensive linemen and pass rushers after signing yesterday. A three-star prospect, Sanders is a top 60 recruit at his position and went with the Bearcats over Washington State, UCF and a host of other programs.

Blake Bammann, LS

Bammann can do a few things for the Bearcats, but has been recruited as a long snapper. With a skill set that includes offensive and defensive line work, the 6’2”, 260-pound recruit from Lexington, Ohio is a player that didn’t make recruiting headlines but will be valuable for his versatility.

Chase Brown, DE

Another defensive end for the future, Brown comes to Clifton from Chardon, Ohio. At 6’2”, 217 pounds, he has some bulking up to do but with the lack of pass rushing from the Bearcats the last few years, there can never be too many additions on the defensive line.

Mick Oakes, TE

It seemed likely that the Bearcats were going to start incorporating the tight end more often with new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. That didn’t come to fruition much in 2017, but Oakes could be the player who rises to the occasion in the future. Oakes also played linebacker in Indiana Hill High School in Cincinnati.

Leonard Taylor, TE

Clearly the tight end post is one that the Bearcats know they need to restock. Taylor joins Oakes, Josh Whyle and Dylan O’Quinn as new contributors. At 6’5” and 235 pounds, Taylor is a four-star recruit with a ton of size. From Springfield, Ohio, Taylor was pegged as a player who would likely stay local, as he picked UC over Kentucky and Louisville, as well as 18 other programs. As much as Oakes and the others have a future, Taylor’s is the brightest.

Zane Wilson, DL

Wilson has the frame to be a dominant defensive lineman, standing at 6’6”, but he’ll need to be in the weight room from day one. He comes to Cincinnati from Georgetown, Kentucky.