In a horrible turn of events, Cincinnati is losing their star defensive lineman, Dontay Corleone, after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs.
Corleone, a 6-foot-2, 318-pound nose tackle from Ohio, quickly earned the title of one of the Big 12’s most-feared defenders during his time in the league.
According to a report from the Bearcat Journal’s Chad Brendel, Corloene is out indefinitely due to the diagnosis.
Last season with the Bearcats, Corleone posted a total of 39 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. His presence in the middle of the Cincinnati defensive line unit earned him the highest PFF grade of any defensive tackle in college football since 2022, with a rating of 92.7.
Corleone was incredibly decorated throughout his career at UC, being named to each of the following sections as one of the best players in college football.
2023 All-Big 12 Second Team (AP and Coaches)
2023 Preseason All-Big 12
2023 Associated Press Preseason All-America First Team
2022 PFF’s Highest-Rated Defensive Player
2022 Associated Press Third Team All-American
2022 PFF Third Team All-American
2022 AFCA Freshman All-American
2022 College Football News Freshman All-American
PFF’s Highest-Rated Defensive Player (2022)
Associated Press Third Team All-American
PFF Third Team All-American
AFCA Freshman All-American
College Football News Freshman All-American
The loss is massive for Cincinnati football and is an incredibly tough way for the career of one of the toughest players to block in the entire country to come to an unfortunate end.
