The Cincinnati Bearcats enter their second year in the Big 12 and hope their 2024 season will have a better outcome. Their first year in the Big 12 didn’t go according to plan, as they went 3-9 overall and 1-8 in conference games.
Their defense took a step back in production compared to the 2022 season. They ranked 21st in points, 29th in total yards, 11th in passing yards, and 72nd in rushing yards in 2022. They ranked 102nd in points, 96th in total yards, 69th in passing yards, and 111th in rushing yards in 2023.
The Bearcats could have their elite defensive tackle out for an extended period of time.
The Cincinnati Bearcats reveal a significant health update on their elite defensive tackle
The Bearcats announced that Dontay Corleone is out indefinitely due to blood clots in his lungs.
A statement from Cincinnati Football on Dontay Corleone
📝: https://t.co/J527fSopD1 pic.twitter.com/czH1fu2igy
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) June 28, 2024
“Corleone Out Indefinitely with Non-Football Illness
“Cincinnati football star defensive lineman Dontay Corleone is out indefinitely after suffering from a non-football illness earlier this month.
“Corleone will miss football activities for an undetermined period of time while he is treated for blood clots found in his lungs, discovered after he reported chest discomfort and shortness of breath to the Cincinnati athletic trainers.
“A team, led by senior associate athletic director for sports medicine Aaron Himmler and head team physician Dr. Jon Divine, worked closely with physicians and specialists at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on diagnosis and initial treatment.
“The rising junior team leader spent one night at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and was discharged on June 14. He has been back home, recovering since.
“Corleone and Cincinnati’s sports medicine team are currently consulting specialists to determine the next steps in his recovery process.”
Corleone responded to the subject matter.
Dontay Corleone’s reaction to the diagnosis
“I am incredibly grateful to my family and for Aaron Himmler, Dr. Jon Divine, our whole medical staff and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for guiding me through this over the last few weeks,” Corleone said.
“Right now, I’m focused on my recovery. My hope is I will be able to return to football soon, but in the meantime, I will do everything I can to rehab and help the football program as a leader and mentor to our younger players. I’m looking forward to being around the guys soon. The sky is the limit for the Bearcats this season. I love my teammates, our coaches, this university, this city, and – of course – this fanbase, which has been incredibly supportive of me over the last three years.”
Hopefully, he will make a speedy recovery
