UC center Bond named to Rimington Trophy watch List

Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 9:30 a.m. EDT May 20, 2014


Deyshawn Bond
(Photo: GoBearcats.com)

University of Cincinnati football center Deyshawn Bond(Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) was tabbed for the 2014 Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List, the committee announced Monday.

The Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the top center in college football, features 64 of the best centers in Division I football on its spring watch list. The trophy is named for former Nebraska center Dave Rimington, who later played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles.

Bond, a redshirt sophomore, was thrust into a starting role during UC's 2013 training camp when incumbent Dan Sprague suffered a season-ending knee injury during non-contact drills. Bond started all 13 games for the Bearcats, helping UC to a 9-4 record and a Belk Bowl appearance.

UC's offensive line allowed only 17 sacks in 2013, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking among the top 25 nationally. The Bearcats also led the American in total offense (472.1) and rushing offense (168.3) with the offense totaling a school-record 6,137 yards.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/ucathlet...t/9318221/

Nice to get the recognition; realistically I'm not sure he has much of a chance.

Great recognition for a redshirt sophomore who we will hope continues to develop his game the next few years.

(05-20-2014 01:47 PM)indycat Wrote:  Great recognition for a redshirt sophomore who we will hope continues to develop his game the next few years.

Only six sophomores made the watchlist

We have Sprague back right? Is he being moved to guard?

(05-20-2014 08:15 PM)BearcatShane09 Wrote:  We have Sprague back right? Is he being moved to guard?

Not returning, calling it career because of his injuries

(05-20-2014 04:01 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(05-20-2014 01:47 PM)indycat Wrote:  Great recognition for a redshirt sophomore who we will hope continues to develop his game the next few years.

Only six sophomores made the watchlist

Exactly. Just the fact that Bond received this recognition is an achievement in of itself. Similar to indycat, Deyshawn has a big upside to his development and I look forward to his play with Gunner.

(05-20-2014 08:24 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(05-20-2014 08:15 PM)BearcatShane09 Wrote:  We have Sprague back right? Is he being moved to guard?

Not returning, calling it career because of his injuries

That's a shame he was pretty good. I wish him the best of luck in his future. What does our O-Line look like heading into the year? Above average?

According to NBC: "Of the 64 players, 38 are seniors. There are 22 juniors on the list and just four sophomores."

Knowing Bond is just one of four sophomores is very impressive. Good press like this can only help UC.

It's 5 sophomores by my count.

(05-20-2014 11:42 PM)BearcatShane09 Wrote:  

(05-20-2014 08:24 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(05-20-2014 08:15 PM)BearcatShane09 Wrote:  We have Sprague back right? Is he being moved to guard?

Not returning, calling it career because of his injuries

That's a shame he was pretty good. I wish him the best of luck in his future. What does our O-Line look like heading into the year? Above average?

We lost both of our guards and our #1 backup at that position, but it looks like Keebler will transition well. Outside of the hole at RG, we'll be fine.