2024 Ohio Bobcats football team explained

Year:	2024
Team:	Ohio Bobcats
Sport:	football
Conference:	Mid-American Conference
Short Conf:	MAC
Record:	0–0
Conf Record:	0–0
Head Coach:	Tim Albin
Hc Year:	4th
Off Coach:	Brian Smith
Oc Year:	1st
Off Scheme:	Spread option
Def Coach:	John Hauser
Dc Year:	1st
Def Scheme:	4–2–5
Stadium:	Peden Stadium

The 2024 Ohio Bobcats football team will represent Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats are led by Tim Albin in his fourth year as the head coach. The Bobcats will play home games at Peden Stadium, located in Athens, Ohio.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Ohio enters the season coming of their second straight 10 win season and ended the 2023 season with a win over Georgia Southern the Myrtle Beach Bowl for their fifth straight bowl win.^{[4] [5]} It was the first time in school history that the Bobcats won 10 games in back to back years.^[6] Ohio suffered numerous losses in the transfer portal in the offseason including 12 players who transferred to programs in power conferences.^[7] Among the losses was starting quarterback and 2022 MAC Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke who transferred to Indiana.^{[8] [9]} Ohio enters the season ranked 133 out of 134 FBS teams in returning production as determined by the SP+ rankings.^[10] With incoming transfers and freshman recruits the Bobcats will feature more than 50 players who are new to the roster from the prior season.^[11] Among the returners are quarterback Parker Navarro and running back Ricky Hunt who both made their first start in last season's bowl game while filling the roles left open by players transferring out and were two key players in the victory.^[12] Navarro had 11 competitions on 16 attempts for 120 yards and 71 rushing yards.^{[13] [14]} Hunt's 5 TD's tied the record in bowl games and set an Ohio program record.^[15]

Offseason

Transfers

Source:^{[16] [17]}

Outgoing

Keegan Wilburn	WR	Bryant
Will Kacmarek	TE	Ohio State
Ben Johnson	LB
Quintell Quinn	RB	Texas Southern
Kurt Danneker	OL	Baylor
Tyler Foster	TE	Oklahoma State
Tristan Cox	DL
Kurtis Rourke	QB	Indiana
Aramoni Rhone	WR	Arkansas–Pine Bluff
O'Shaan Allison	RB	Austin Peay
Sieh Bangura	RB	Minnesota
Miles Cross	WR	Indiana
Keye Thompson	LB	Pittsburgh
Bryce Kitrell	RB
Alec Burton	TE	Utah Tech
Tyler Walton	WR	Eastern Michigan
Justin Holloway	LS	Arizona
Rayyan Buell	DL	Colorado
Jacoby Jones	WR	UCF
John Motton	CB
CJ Harris	QB	California
Torrie Cox	CB	Illinois
Caden Campolieti	LB	Valdosta State
Shedrick Rhodes	T	Rutgers
Jailen Hammer	WR
Cam McCullum	CB

Incoming

Max Rodarte	WR	City College of San Francisco
Anthony Tyus III	RB
Tigana Cisse	OT	Idaho
Jacob Proche	CB	Coastal Carolina
CJ Doggette	DL	Cincinnati
Ben McNoboe	DE	North Dakota State
Blake Leake	LB	Bucknell
Dustin Johnson	S	Northern Colorado
Trent Allen	OL	Davenport
Jake Bruno	TE	Saint Francis
Colby Garfield	LS	East Carolina
Jacob Lewis	K	Minnesota
Beau Blankenship	TE	Marshall
Coleman Owen	WR	Northern Arizona
Tigana Cisse	T	Idaho
Eian Pugh	WR	Illinois
Cam Rice	DL	West Liberty
Eamonn Dennis	WR	Michigan
Marcell Walker-Burgess	DL	Nevada
Michael Mack	CB	Wisconsin
Reise Collier	LB	UAB
Carson Heidecker	OL	Notre Dame College
Zach Reiners	OL	Centre College
Nicholas Poulos	QB	El Camino College
Sinn Brennan	DE	San Diego State
LJ Shumpert	DB	Northwest Mississippi Community College
Nathan Hale	DL	Iowa Western Community College
Jaylen Johnson	DB	Memphis
Benjamin Maldonado	OL	Dodge City Community College
Delaney Crawford	WR	Virginia
Blake Guffey	TE	Notre Dame College
Jakob Lemus	OL	Ventura College

Recruiting class

^{[18] [19] [20]}

Preseason

Preseason polls

Coaches Poll

On July 19 the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Ohio was picked to finish fifth in the conference. They received zero votes to win the MAC Championship.^{[21] [22] [23]}

MAC Coaches poll
1	Miami	119 (9)
2	Toledo	109 (3)
T3	Bowling Green	92
T3	Northern Illinois	92
5	Ohio	81
6	Eastern Michigan	64
7	Western Michigan	60
8	Central Michigan	59
9	Ball State	42
10	Buffalo	37
11	Akron	24
12	Kent State	13

Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
1	Miami	10
2	Toledo	2

Game summaries

At Syracuse

See also: 2024 Syracuse Orange football team.

Vs South Alabama

See also: 2024 South Alabama Jaguars football team.

Vs Morgan State

See also: 2024 Morgan State Bears football team.

At Kentucky

See also: 2024 Kentucky Wildcats football team.

Vs Akron

See also: 2024 Akron Zips football team.

At Central Michigan

See also: 2024 Central Michigan Chippewas football team.

At Miami (OH)

See also: 2024 Miami RedHawks football team and Battle of the Bricks.

Vs Buffalo

See also: 2024 Buffalo Bulls football team.

At Kent State

See also: 2024 Kent State Golden Flashes football team.

Vs Eastern Michigan

See also: 2024 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team.

At Toledo

See also: 2024 Toledo Rockets football team.

Vs Ball State

See also: 2024 Ball State Cardinals football team.

Personnel

Coaching staff

Since July 14, 2021, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Tim Albin. He heads a staff of ten assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff.^[24]

	Head coach	2005	Northwestern Oklahoma State University 1989
	Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/running backs	2022	University of Hawaii 2002
	Defensive Coordinator/Safeties	2022	Wittenberg University 2002
	Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks	2014	Hanover College 1994
Nate Faanes	co-defensive coordinator/Special teams coordinator/linebackers	2019	Winona State University 2015
De'Angelo Smith	Def. Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks/director of player development	2017	University of Cincinnati 2008
	Recruiting Coordinator/Tight ends	2020	University of Notre Dame 2013
Tremayne Scott	Def. Running Game Coordinator/Defensive tackles	2018	Ohio University 2012
	Offensive line	2019	University of Southern Mississippi 1995
Andre Allen	Wide receivers	2023	Ashford
	Defensive ends/Pass Rush Specialist	2024	Valparaiso University 1999
Jeremiah Covington	Assistant athletic director for football operations	2022	Wingate University 2011
Kyle Obly	Graduate assistant – offense
Jake Roney	Graduate assistant – offense
Garrett Pruss	Graduate assistant – defense
Nick Auriemma	Graduate assistant – defense

Support staff

Sarah Newgarde	Director of athletics administration and football communications	2021	Ohio University
Matthias Reiber	Head football athletic trainer	2021	Bowling Green State University
Jerry Lin	Staff Athletic trainer (football, swim & dive)
Will Fife	Director of equipment
Caleb Moon	Assistant director of equipment services
Thomas Turnbaugh	Director of video and recruiting services	2018	Ohio University
Clay Finney	Director of recruiting	2023
Elaine Goodfellow	Administrative assistant
Jaydin Schrantz	Football operations assistant	2024
Jessica Arquette	Ohio athletics sports dietitian		Bowling Green State University
Kaitlyn Michener	Nutritionist
Hannah Rastatter	Nutritionist
Joseph Benish	Staff Athletic Trainer (Football/Track)
Tyler Shumate	Director of Strength and Conditioning	2024	University of Virginia
Ben Gilkey	Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
John Bowman	Director of Sports Medicine & Athletics Health Care Administrator	1994	Ohio University
Dr. Sergio Ulloa	Team Orthopedic Physician
Dr. Katherine Guran	Head Team Physician
James Odenthal	Staff Physical Therapist	2010	Ohio University

Roster

2023 Ohio Bobcats football roster

Quarterback 4 Jacob Winters – R-Fr. 6‘2“ (233 lb.) Jackson, Ohio / Jackson 8 Nick Poulos – R-Jr. 6‘6“ (234 lb.) / 9 Callum Wither – R-So. 6‘4“ (211 lb.) Mississauga, Ontario / Clarkson Football North 13 Parker Navarro – Gr. 6‘1“ (205 lb.) Tempe, Ariz. / Desert Vista 16 Matthew Papas – Fr. 5‘11“ (178 lb.) / Running Back 2 Anthony Tyus III – Gr. 6‘1“ (226 lb.) Portage, Mich. / 21 Nolan McCormick – R-Jr. 5‘11“ (226 lb.) Mason, Ohio / William Mason 22 Duncan Brune – Fr. 5‘11“ (210 lb.) Cologne, Germany / Cologne Crocodiles 28 Rickey Hunt Jr. – R-Fr. 5‘11“ (210 lb.) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma / Millwood 41 Devon Hunter – R-Jr. 5‘11“ (214 lb.) Avon, Ohio / Avon 48 Aginon Wilson Jr. – R-Fr. 5‘10“ (213 lb.) Cleveland, Ohio / Cleveland Heights Wide Receiver 0 Delaney Crawford – R-So. - (lb.) Fontana, CA / 3 Max Rodarte – Jr. 6‘1“ (191 lb.) Sacramento, California / Capital Christian 5 Khamani Debrow – R-Fr. 6‘3“ (201 lb.) Killeen, Texas / Ellison HS 6 Coleman Owen – Gr. 5‘11“ (191 lb.) Gilbert, Ariz. / 7 Chase Hendricks – So. 6‘1“ (200 lb.) St. Louis, Mo. / St. Mary's 10 Eamonn Dennis – Gr. 5‘9“ (194 lb.) / 11 Rodney Harris II – R-So. 6‘2“ (211 lb.) Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton High School 12 Eian Pugh – R-So. 6‘3“ (184 lb.) / 17 Kaden Hurst – Fr. 6‘1“ (195 lb.) Fort Wayne, Indiana / Leo 18 Miles Cremascoli – Fr. 6‘3“ (223 lb.) Winnetka, Illinois / New Trier HS 19 Dom Dorwart – Fr. 6‘2“ (200 lb.) Leonardtown, Maryland / St. Mary's Ryken 20 Jack Borer – R-Fr. 6‘2“ (203 lb.) Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg 23 Riley Neer – Fr. 5‘11“ (180 lb.) Bellefontaine, OH / Bellefontaine 37 Blake Guffey – R-So. 6‘1“ (219 lb.) Glouster, Ohio / Trimble 80 Ryan McDole – R-So. 6‘4“ (211 lb.) Cincinnati, Ohio / Turpin 81 Matthew Stuewe – R-Fr. 6‘2“ (198 lb.) Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake 83 Hunter Thompson – Fr. 6‘3“ (215 lb.) Adamstown, MD / Oakdale 88 Caleb Gossett – R-Jr. 6‘2“ (200 lb.) Lewis Center, Ohio / Olentangy Tight End 14 Bryce Butler – R-Jr. 6‘2“ (248 lb.) Bowie, Md. / St. John’s College High School 40 Beau Blankenship – R-So. 6‘4“ (240 lb.) Hillsboro, Ohio / 44 Aiden Lowery – Fr. 6‘3“ (204 lb.) / 82 Nick Segarra – Fr. 6‘6“ (257 lb.) Charlotte, North Carolina / Charlotte Catholic 84 AJ Miller – Fr. 6‘4“ (226 lb.) Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington North 85 Mason Williams – R-Fr. 6‘5“ (257 lb.) Mogadore, Ohio / Mogadore 86 Jake Bruno – R-Jr. 6‘6“ (249 lb.) Amherst, New York / Saint Francis Offensive lineman 51 Davion Weatherspoon – R-Jr. 6‘1“ (311 lb.) Harper Woods, Mich. / Harper Woods High School 53 Andrew Erby – Fr. 6‘3“ (261 lb.) Harrisburg, PA / Steelton High School 54 Charlie Nowinsky – Fr. 6‘5“ (324 lb.) / 55 Jordon Jones – R-So. 6‘3“ (297 lb.) Ashland, Ky. / Paul G. Blazer 56 Ben Maldonado – Jr. 6‘4“ (294 lb.) Miami, FL / Champagnat Catholic School 57 Carson Heidecker – R-Sr. 6‘3“ (295 lb.) Columbia Station, OH / 60 Trent Allen – Jr. 6‘3“ (284 lb.) Windemere, Florida / Bishop Moore 61 Kaden Rogers – R-Jr. 6‘3“ (297 lb.) Hamilton, Ohio / Ross High School 64 Seth Anstead – Fr. 6‘4“ (289 lb.) / 65 Jake Skelly – R-Jr. 6‘4“ (276 lb.) Columbus, Ohio / Bishop Harley High School 66 Christophe Atkinson – Gr. 6‘4“ (308 lb.) Leesburg, Va. / Tuscarora 67 Kam Wright – R-So. 6‘4“ (321 lb.) Granville, Ohio / Granville 69 Parker Titsworth – Gr. 6‘1“ (290 lb.) Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny 70 Jase Miller – Fr. - (lb.) / 71 Aidan Johnson – R-Fr. 6‘3“ (304 lb.) Elkridge, Maryland / Good Counsel 72 Jakob Lemus – R-Jr. - (lb.) Oxnard, CA / 73 Joseph Habinowski – R-Sr. 6‘5“ (317 lb.) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory 74 Tigana Cisse – Jr. 6‘3“ (300 lb.) Oakland, Calif. / 75 Jarian Shelby – R-So. 6‘3“ (283 lb.) Luling, La. / Hahnville High School 76 Bryce Parson – Fr. 6‘2“ (291 lb.) Saint Louis, MO / 77 Jacob Dennison – R-Sr. 6‘5“ (299 lb.) Mansfield, Ohio / Lexington Placekicker 44 Gianni Spetic – So. 6‘3“ (211 lb.) Chardon, Ohio / Notre Dame Cathedral Latin 46 Jacob Lewis – Gr. 6‘3“ (227 lb.) Delaware, Ohio / Olentangy Berlin 47 Alex Kasee – So. 6‘2“ (175 lb.) Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview Defensive line 10 Cam Rice – Gr. 6‘3“ (290 lb.) / 11 CJ Doggette – R-So. 6‘2“ (277 lb.) Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central 13 Kaci Seegars – R-Jr. 6‘2“ (255 lb.) Charlotte, N.C. / 16 Chris Mayfield – R-Sr. 6‘3“ (275 lb.) Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Bradley 17 Marcel Walker-Burgess – Gr. 6‘2“ (252 lb.) / 19 Kadin Schmitz – So. 6‘1“ (237 lb.) Ashland, Ohio / Ashland 50 Owen DiFranco – R-Fr. 6‘4“ (251 lb.) Glen Ellyn, Illinois / Glenbard South 51 Maverick Ohle – Fr. 6‘3“ (255 lb.) / 57 Nathan Hale – Jr. 6‘4“ (281 lb.) / 8 Ben McNaboe – Gr. 6‘3“ (250 lb.) Rogers, Minn. / 81 Bralen Henderson – R-Jr. 6‘2“ (272 lb.) Pittsburgh, Pa. / Central Catholic High School 90 Brock Arndt – Fr. 6‘4“ (248 lb.) / 91 Jay Crable – R-Fr. 6‘3“ (227 lb.) Massillon, Ohio / Archbishop 92 RJ Keuchler – R-Fr. 6‘5“ (266 lb.) Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central HS 93 Sam Ehret – Fr. 6‘4“ (246 lb.) Clearwater, Florida / Clearwater Academy International 94 Bradley Weaver – R-Jr. 6‘4“ (262 lb.) Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Darby High School 95 Walter Bob – Jr. - (lb.) / 96 Sinn Brennan – R-Fr. 6‘4“ (235 lb.) / 97 Austin Mitchell – R-Fr. 6‘2“ (267 lb.) Avon, Ohio / Avon 98 Danny Novickas – R-Fr. 6‘3“ (231 lb.) Chicago, Ill. / Mt. Carmel 99 Joey Woolard – R-Sr. 6‘1“ (278 lb.) Grove City, Ohio / Grove City Linebacker 9 Blake Leake – Gr. 6‘2“ (215 lb.) Culpeper, Va. / Eastern View 15 Reise Collier – 5th 6‘3“ (213 lb.) Midwest City, OK / Carl Albert High School 25 Michael Molnar – R-So. 6‘3“ (221 lb.) Mason, Ohio / Mason 27 Jack Fries – R-So. 6‘2“ (215 lb.) Cincinnati, Ohio / LaSalle 30 Stellan Bowman – Fr. 6‘1“ (226 lb.) Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Kenwood 33 Brady Sestili – R-Fr. 6‘4“ (205 lb.) Delaware, Ohio / Dublin Jerome 34 Lukas Stiles – R-Fr. 5‘9“ (225 lb.) Wadsworth, Ohio / Highland 35 Shay Taylor – R-Jr. 6‘3“ (232 lb.) Mount Perry, Ohio / Sheridan High School 36 Parker Startz – Fr. 6‘3“ (240 lb.) / 56 Ryan Matheny – Fr. - (lb.) Fairfax Station, VA / Lake Baddock Secondary Defensive back 0 Austin Brawley – Jr. 6‘1“ (180 lb.) Massillon, Ohio / Massillon Washington 2 Miles Fleming – R-Sr. 5‘11“ (197 lb.) Columbus, Ohio / Bishop Hartley HS 3 Jeremiah Wood – Gr. 6‘1“ (216 lb.) Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central 4 Roman Parodie – R-Sr. 6‘2“ (204 lb.) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons 5 Adonis Williams Jr. – Jr. 6‘2“ (217 lb.) South Euclid, Ohio / Cleveland Heights 6 Dustin Johnson – Gr. 6‘1“ (201 lb.) Denver, Co. / Cherry Creek High School 7 Tank Pearson – Sr. 5‘9“ (178 lb.) Oxford, Mississippi / 12 Mike Mack – R-Jr. 6‘1“ (199 lb.) / 14 Xander Karagosian – R-So. 6‘1“ (206 lb.) Jackson, Ohio / Alexander and Jackson 18 Bailey Russ – R-Jr. 6‘2“ (212 lb.) Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / Walsh Jesuit 20 Kendall Bannister – R-Fr. 5‘11“ (183 lb.) Woodbridge, Virginia / Freedom 21 DJ Walker – R-Fr. 6‘1“ (186 lb.) Aliquippa, Pa. / Aliquippa 22 Jalen Thomeson – So. 5‘11“ (187 lb.) Greenwood, Indiana / Center Grove 23 Tony Mathis – Fr. 5‘11“ (176 lb.) / 24 DJ Morton – Fr. 6‘1“ (181 lb.) / 26 LJ Shumpert – Jr. 5‘9“ (175 lb.) / 28 Jaylen Johnson – R-Jr. 6‘2“ (221 lb.) Cincinnati, OH / Lasalle 29 JT Haskins – Fr. 5‘11“ (172 lb.) / 38 Andrew Vera – So. 5‘11“ (190 lb.) St. Clairsville, Ohio / 41 Creed Hill – R-Fr. 5‘10“ (179 lb.) Medina, Ohio / Highland 42 Carson Canning – Fr. 5‘10“ (189 lb.) / 49 Xavier Williams – Fr. - (lb.) Akron, OH / Archbishop Hoban Punter 43 Jack Wilson – R-Sr. 5‘11“ (222 lb.) Lancefield, Victoria, Australia / Gisborne Secondary College (ProKick Australia) Long Snapper 38 Dominic Konopka – R-So. 5‘11“ (248 lb.) / 39 Colby Garfield – Gr. 6‘2“ (234 lb.) /

As of August 21 - Source:^[25]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2024 Football Coaching Staff . ohiobobcats.com . 29 January 2024.
2. Web site: Peden Stadium . Ohio University Athletics . March 3, 2023.
3. Web site: Tim Albin. Sports Reference.
4. Web site: Reserves Hunt, Navarro lead Ohio to 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in Myrtle Beach Bowl. WTOP.com. AP. December 17, 2023. December 18, 2023.
5. Web site: Ohio University football game times announced. Athens News. July 19, 2024. July 17, 2024.
6. Web site: Ohio goes for second straight 10-win season against Georgia Southern in Myrtle Beach Bowl. usatoday.com. AP. December 15, 2023. December 18, 2023.
7. Web site: Ohio Preview, Best Players, Top Transfers, Season Prediction, Win Total 2024. cfn.com. College Football News. Pete. Fiutak. July 19, 2024. June 30, 2024.
8. Web site: Ohio transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke announces commitment to Indiana. The Daily Hoosier. Mike. Schumann. December 14, 2023. December 14, 2023.
9. Web site: MAC Announces 2022 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams. Mid-American Conference. November 29, 2022. en.
10. Web site: College football 2024 returning production rankings: 134 teams. Bill. Connelly. espn.com. ESPN. February 5, 2024. en.
11. Web site: Football: Looking at who Ohio added via the transfer portal. thepostatherns.com. Ohio Post. July 17, 2024. July 19, 2024. en.
12. Web site: Reserves Hunt, Navarro lead Ohio to 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in Myrtle Beach Bowl. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. foxsports.com. AP.
13. Web site: Reserves Hunt, Navarro lead Ohio to 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in Myrtle Beach Bowl. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. foxsports.com. AP.
14. Web site: GA SOUTHERN 21 OHIO 41. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. foxsports.com. Fox Sports.
15. Web site: Freshman Running Back Rickey Hunt Tied NCAA Bowl Record This Saturday. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. msn.com. The Spun. Tzvi. Machlin.
16. Web site: Ohio Bobcats 2023 College Football Transfer Portal . 247 Sports . January 30, 2024.
17. Web site: 2024 Ohio Football Transfer Portal. on3.com. January 30, 2024.
18. Web site: Ohio 2024 Football Commits . 247 Sports . January 29, 2024.
19. Web site: Ohio 2024 Football Commits . Rivals . January 29, 2024.
20. Web site: Ohio Bobcats 2024 Player Commits . ESPN . January 29, 2024.
21. Web site: Miami Selected as Favorites in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll. July 19, 2024. July 19, 2024. getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference.
22. Web site: MAC Announces 2024 Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll. July 19, 2024. July 19, 2024. ohiobobcats.com. Ohio University Athletics.
23. Web site: MAC football preseason poll: Toledo picked 2nd, BGSU 3rd. July 19, 2024. July 19, 2024. wtol.com. WTOL 11.
24. Web site: 2024 Football Roster . ohiobobcats.com . February 29, 2024.
25. Web site: 2024 Football Roster . Ohio University Athletics . August 2, 2024.