Josh Whyle
FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass from the pocket during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. The fourth-ranked Bearcats (13-0) get their shot in the CFP semifinal Cotton Bowl on Friday, Dec. 31 against No. 1 defending national champion Alabama. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Non-P5 Cincy takes CFP journey to Cotton semi against Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 30, 2021 02:38 PM EST

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

South Florida quarterback Timmy McClain, left, gets sacked by Cincinnati linebacker Wilson Huber during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ridder breaks Cincinnati TD record, No. 2 Bearcats beat USF

By Mark Didtler Nov. 12, 2021 09:44 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker runs for a score on a 1-yard touchdown pass quarterback Desmond Ridder against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Cincinnati at South Florida 11/12/2021

Nov. 12, 2021 07:25 PM EST

Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) pulls in a touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulane in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Cincinnati won 31-12. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Ridder, Whyle, help No. 2 Cincinnati top Tulane, 31-12

By Brett Martel Oct. 30, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) is sacked by Tulane linebacker Marvin Moody for a safety during the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cincinnati at Tulane 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 01:43 PM EDT

Navy cornerback Jamal Glenn, center left, celebrates with linebacker Nicholas Straw after Glenn intercepted a pass from Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, not visible, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
No. 2 Cincinnati stays unbeaten with 27-20 win over Navy

By Noah Trister Oct. 23, 2021 03:39 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

UCF quarterback Mikey Keene (16) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Jerome Ford's four TDs lead No. 3 Cincinnati over UCF 56-21

By Jeff Wallner Oct. 16, 2021 03:46 PM EDT

Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) points skyward after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Temple at Cincinnati 10/8/2021

Oct. 08, 2021 08:35 PM EDT

A Cincinnati fan holds a sign during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 7 Cincinnati starts slow, then routs Murray State 42-7

By Jeff Wallner Sep. 11, 2021 07:04 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

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. Ridder returns for his senior season, looking to add to his 6,905 career passing yards and 57 career touchdowns, but also to take on more of a leadership role. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Ridder and No. 8 Cincinnati hope to crash playoff party

By Jeff Wallner Aug. 20, 2021 12:48 PM EDT

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) is hit by Cincinnati cornerback Arquon Bush (9) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
No. 6 Cincinnati comes up short as unbeaten season ends

By George Henry Jan. 01, 2021 06:35 PM EST

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart watches play against Cincinnati during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Georgia at Cincinnati 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 12:21 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

Cincinnati running back Gerrid Doaks, left, reacts as quarterback Desmond Ridder, right, scores a rushing touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Houston, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Struggling East Carolina is next up for No. 7 Cincinnati

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2020 02:39 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, left, carries the ball for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Doaks, Ridder help No. 6 Cincinnati run past Houston 38-10

By Jeff Wallner Nov. 07, 2020 07:25 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, left, carries the ball for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Houston at Cincinnati 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle is taken down by SMU defensive back Brandon Stephens (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Ridder runs, passes No. 19 Cincinnati past No. 16 SMU, 42-13

Oct. 25, 2020 12:45 AM EDT