7 Best Cincinnati Bearcats Football Players, Ranked

The Cincinnati Bearcats appeared in the 2021 College Football Playoff, losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

Right now, you can do some football betting on the college football odds for all Bearcats games and more at the BetMGM online sportsbook. 

Before diving into some online sports betting, check out my list of the top Bearcats. 

7 Best Cincinnati Bearcats Football Players, Ranked

Cincinnati Bearcats All-Time Greatest Football Players

1. Desmond Ridder

After redshirting in 2017, Ridder was the starter in 2018 through his final season in 2021. 

He notched 10,239 passing yards (second), 87 passing touchdowns (first), 28 rushing touchdowns (fourth), 12,418 total yards (first), and 115 total touchdowns (first). 

While it’s not inside the top 10, he also had 2,180 rushing yards. 

He was a two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year, AAC Rookie of the Year, and two-time first-team All-AAC. 

Ridder led the Bearcats to the 2021 College Football Playoff.  

2. Sauce Gardner

Gardner played at Cincinnati from 2019 to 2021 and was a shutdown cornerback. 

He played 1,124 snaps in coverage and allowed just 58 receptions on 135 targets for 703 yards across three seasons. 

Gardner had nine interceptions and didn’t allow a single touchdown. 

He was AAC Defensive Player of the Year, consensus All-American, and three-time first-team All-AAC. 

3. Greg Cook

Cook played quarterback for Cincinnati from 1966 to 1968 and was a second-team All-American. 

He finished his career with 4,906 passing yards (ninth), 34 passing touchdowns (eighth), 4,760 total yards (ninth), and 40 total touchdowns (seventh). 

Cook is also second in passing yards thrown in a single game with 554 in 1968 against Ohio. 

He was sensational for his time and held the records for passing yards, total yards, and total touchdowns for nearly two decades. 

4. Travis Kelce

Kelce had a tumultuous college career, playing some tight end and quarterback. He missed the 2010 season for violating team rules. He saw some action in 2011, but it was his final season (2012) where he had the most production. 

He caught 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big East honours. His 722 yards and eight touchdowns were program records for tight ends at the time. 

5. Tony Pike

Pike earned first-team All-Big East and second-team All-Big East honours while at Cincinnati from 2005 to 2009.

He amassed 5,018 passing yards (eighth), 49 passing touchdowns (fifth), 5,146 total yards (seventh), and 52 total touchdowns (fifth). 

Pike is tied for the single-game passing touchdown record with six in 2009 against Illinois. 

6. Isaiah Pead

Pead, the 2011 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, played at Cincinnati from 2008 to 2011. 

He had 157 carries or less over his first three seasons before rushing 237 times for 1,259 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. 

As a side note, Pead was named the 2012 Senior Bowl MVP. 

He finished his career with 3,288 rushing yards (third), 27 rushing touchdowns (fifth), and 4,104 all-purpose yards (fourth). 

7. Kevin Huber

Huber was a punter for the Bearcats from 2004 to 2008. 

He was a two-time consensus All-American, Big East Special Teams Player of the Year, and two-time first-team All-Big East. 

Huber holds the Bearcats’ all-time longest punt record of 69 yards, set in 2007.