Leonard Taylor
FILE - Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle makes a catch against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. College teams haven't quite unlocked the full potential of the position as effectively as the pros, but Friday, Dec. 31 College Football Playoff with No. 1 Alabama facing No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl will put players with potential to be part of the next wave of dominate tight ends on display. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Tight ends take center stage in College Football Playoff

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2021 02:17 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 3 Cincinnati claims AAC crown, possible playoff spot

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 04, 2021 07:38 PM EST

East Carolina's Ryan Jones (13) runs the ball and is challenged by Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 4 Cincinnati stays unbeaten, beats East Carolina 35-13

Bob Sutton Nov. 26, 2021 07:31 PM EST

Cincinnati's Curtis Brooks (92) grabs the arm of East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) for a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Cincinnati at East Carolina 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 05:31 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa on aturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Tulsa at Cincinnati 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 04:49 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks to pass against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati at Navy 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

Penn State returner Jahan Dotson (5) breaks away from Indiana's Jonathan Haynes (17) on a punt return during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten powers surge into October

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 04, 2021 03:14 AM EDT

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Desmond Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) tries to leap over Notre Dame's Clarence Lewis (6) and Houston Griffith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass during the first half an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Miami (OH) at Cincinnati 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 04:57 PM EDT

Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor (11) is stopped by Central Florida defensive back Richie Grant (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 7 Cincinnati stays unbeaten with 36-33 win over UCF

By Corey Long Nov. 21, 2020 08:02 PM EST

Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle, left, outruns Central Florida linebacker Eriq Gilyard (10) on his way to a 29-yard touchdown on a pass play during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Cincinnati at UCF 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 05:33 PM EST

Army quarterback Christian Anderson, right, cuts up field past Cincinnati linebacker Darrian Beavers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Army at Cincinnati 9/26/2020

Sep. 26, 2020 05:21 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass against Austin Peay during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Austin Peay at Cincinnati 9/19/2020

Sep. 19, 2020 01:41 PM EDT

Memphis quarterback Brady White (3) and defensive back Chris Claybrooks (7) celebrate after an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
No. 17 Memphis tops No. 18 Cincinnati 34-24 to host AAC game

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 29, 2019 07:03 PM EST