GOODBYE 3-3-5! Bearcats hire Army DC Nate Woody

I predicted UC would promote Co-DC/LB Coach Cort Braswell in a previous newsletter with a switch to a 3-4 but UC ended up getting one of the godfather’s of the 3-4 defense instead in Army DC Nate Woody. Coach Braswell was an ILB Coach for the Black Knights under Coach Woody for 2 years (‘21-’22).

Woody worked under Coach Satterfield at App State from 2013 through 2017.

Army went 12-2 and won the AAC in 2024 under his tenure as DC.

Coach Woody is 65 years old and only has 1 year of experience at the power level as a coordinator. That lone season was 2018 for the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets in Paul Johnson’s final season as a HC. 7-6 with a loss in the Quick Lane Bowl. It was a tough season for GT as they gave up 29.3 PPG. ⬇

After Georgia Tech, Woody spent a year as an analyst at Michigan before jumping back into the DC game at Army in 2020 and having a really good tenure there. Considering his age, this could be Woody’s last shot to prove himself as a coordinator at the power level. Woody is widely regarded as one of the best G5 defensive coordinators.

If you’re interested in understanding more about DC Nate Woody’s scheme and the history behind the 3-4 defense MatchQuarters had a really good feature on him after the special 2024 Army season. The Best DC You’ve Never Heard Of 📖 ⬇

A few players listed twice due to versatility

Green shade for incoming transfer so you can visualize the areas we addressed

Key words here are “Way Too Early”, this is just a fun exercise to visualize the roster in new DC Nate Woody’s 3-4

Offensive portal breakdown + coordinator promotions

Schedule breakdown and analysis

Basketball head coach hot board

Background: Committed to the previous staff but was retained after the hiring of Scott Satterfield. 3 star top 750 recruit with offers from Iowa State, Kansas State, Maryland and Minnesota. Covey was a solid player in Clifton and it felt like he should’ve gotten more carries but he ends his UC career with 260yds and only 1 rushing TD. Covey also added two receiving TDs, both in a heartbreaking 44-41 loss at Texas Tech in 2024 after Corey Kiner was injured in the first half.

Analysis: Manny Covey committed to play at Memphis. I really like this fit for Covey because it’s imperative for him to get to a place where he is almost guaranteed to get snaps. Wouldn’t shock me if Covey transfers back up after a big 2026 season in Memphis.

Background: Did not announce, but appears on the On3 portal list as entered the portal on January 9th, 2026. As you’ll see below, it appears that Caffey’s roster spot got filled up very quickly with a late add to the 2026 class. 2yds in his Cincinnati career.

Analysis: Caffey will transfer down a level.

Background: 3 star with significant P4 interest including scholarship offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Purdue, Vanderbilt, VT, WVU and Wisconsin.

Analysis: Thompson is an absolute electricity factory and I think the Bearcats got a diamond in the rough just due to timing. Thompson supposedly had some academic issues and since he missed signing day not all of those offers still stood. Cincy found a way to make room to get Thompson into the 2026 class which previously had 0 RBs in it. Connecting the dots here it seems as if Thompson is essentially taking Jakorian Caffey’s spot on the roster and to redshirt in his true freshman season. Spend a minute or two watching Jayzon Thompson’s highlights on Hudl and you’ll see why he had strong P4 interest ⬇

Background: 3 star with offers from UNC, CMU, and UConn. De-committed from Toledo on 12/13/25.

Analysis: Late flip for the 2026 prospect, I expect Gregory to redshirt as a true freshman in Clifton.

Background: Former 3 star RB committed to Syracuse who transferred down multiple levels to California University (Pa.) and switched positions to DT. 1 year of eligibility remaining.

Analysis: This is a fascinating position switch to monitor as Hough re-enters the P4 ranks at Cincinnati. Really good athlete for the position due to his history as a RB. Hough was Mr. Pennsylvania in HS after rushing for 2,048yds and 29TD in only 124 carries as a senior for Beaver Falls. Basketball & track athlete as well. I expect Hough to start at NT. Below this is Hough’s 247 profile where he was a highly productive 6’2 235lb RB out of HS in Pennsylvania ⬇

Background: Has spent entire career at NC Central before transferring to Cincinnati with 1 year of eligibility remaining. Monster season for the Eagles in 2025 with 11.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 43 tackles.

Analysis: This is a massive jump up for Johnson from NC Central to Cincy but he had really good production and is ready to take his shot proving his talent in the Big 12. Johnson mentioned facilities and playing time as why he decided to commit to UC. I expect Johnson to start at the DOG position in Woody’s 3-4 defense and to lead the Bearcats in sacks in 2026. Here is an 8 minute Thomas Johnson interview with his former NC Central teammate Tyler Clark ⬇

Background: Has spent entire career at NIU before transferring to Cincinnati with 1 year of eligibility remaining. Played significant snaps for the Huskies the last 3 years and is very experienced. 129 tackles, 19 pass deflections, 0.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.

Analysis: Not an elite athlete but knows his position and role. I expect Finley to fight for a starting CB spot with Kenny Worthy III.

Background: Has spent entire career at Wazzu before transferring to Cincinnati with 3 years of eligibility remaining. Early enrollee in 2024 but still RS’d but appeared in all 12 games for the Cougars in 2025 as a RS Freshman. Offers from ASU, ISU and Boise State out of HS.

Analysis: Held WRs to 53% completion percentage when targeted and has the look of a potential CB1 for the Bearcats in 2026. I lean towards Worthy III winning the CB1 battle, but it’s too far out to say for sure. We’ll know more in the spring.

Background: Has spent entire career at Georgia State before transferring to Cincinnati with 3 years of eligibility remaining. Played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2024 accruing 39 tackles and an interception. Injured in 2025 and medically RS’d. Had 11 tackles and 3 pass deflections in 3 games before getting hurt. Was listed in Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Sun Belt 4th team as a true sophomore.

Analysis: UC front office going for a big swing on a buy low player here, this one reminds me of the “Pre-Drafting” technique some NBA teams use to draft a guy a year before they are ready so they can get them into their program and develop him. I don’t want to pigeonhole Wilson though, as he has all of the physical tools to emerge in a deep LB room in Cincinnati. I am excited about Wilson, having that much production as a true freshman and being 2 years removed of that means he could be the type of player to just blow up out of nowhere.

Background: Has spent entire career at South Alabama before transferring to Cincinnati with 2 years of eligibility remaining. Goodwill also has a RS available to him as he played significant snaps as a true freshman and sophomore, but something tells me that he won’t be redshirting in the 513. 34 tackles, 7 pass deflections and an interception in 2025. Goodwill officially visited Illinois prior to his visit to Clifton and also was supposed to visit Syracuse. The Bearcats locked him down regardless. I was also told Penn State wanted to get involved with Goodwill but they ended up taking FOUR safeties from Iowa State instead.

Analysis: Ty Goodwill be the most talented pickup of the 2026 portal class for UC. Bearcats fans should be ecstatic for this one and can expect to see Goodwill starting at one of the safety spots in 2026. It’s very clear to me that the staff emphasized acquiring talent on defense in this portal after last season’s debacle. Apologize for this one not being more convenient but I HIGHLY recommend watching Goodwill play on slide 3 of this Tweet ⬇

Background: Notice a trend here? A lot of first time transfers, I don’t know if that’s calculated or just a fluke by the staff but it’s nice to see a lot of guys coming in who aren’t showing up to their 3rd school in 3 years. Maciorowski, a RS Junior, has 2 years of eligibility remaining. Special teams stud in 2024 before playing a ton of defensive snaps for the Huskies in 2025. 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections and a forced fumble. Maciorowski is a “freak” and was recorded hitting 22.47mph in a game this past season.

Analysis: Maciorowski joins a crowded LB room in Clifton but I expect him to get in on the action and play some snaps in 2026. Very deep room but plenty of snaps available in the 3-4 for a versatile player like Maciorowski.

Background: Has spent entire career at Illinois State before transferring to Cincinnati with 2 years of eligibility remaining. Bauer is on an impressive trajectory as he was initially a walk on at Illinois State but worked his way onto the field in 2024 and blew up in 2025 with 67 tackles, 5 pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and a pick six.

Analysis: Bauer looks like a physical specimen to me and it wouldn’t shock me at all if UC ends up moving him (or Simms) around to get him in pass rush situations in the 3-4. Either way I think Bauer will get on the field and play some snaps for the Bearcats in 2026. Can definitely put weight on if the staff decides to go that route. Check out this impressive pick six from Patrick Bauer ⬇