How former Louisville Cardinals are faring as Cincinnati Bearcats under Scott Satterfield

In their second run-through at Nippert Stadium before heading to Camp Higher Ground, more players that came from Power Five conferences to the University of Cincinnati stood out Thursday, Aug. 3. Coach Scott Satterfield's roster includes 16 players from SEC, ACC, Pac-12 and Big Ten schools who will now enter the Big 12 fray with their new Bearcat teammates.
From the catbird seat
Two front-runners among the receivers played at Louisville and Dee Wiggins and Braden Smith have been impressive. Defensively, Dorian Jones was a Louisville mainstay at linebacker and is glad to be among returning Bearcats Deshawn Pace and Jack Dingle who are shining at that spot.
On the offensive line, Elder High's Luke Kandra knows Cincinnati and knows the schemes Satterfield's crew ran in Louisville. He already appears to be an active leader.
Higher Ground's heat shouldn't faze the 10 native Floridians on the team including three of the four Louisville transfers The Enquirer spoke to Thursday.
Braden Smith
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound slot receiver knows the Satterfield system well having racked up 59 catches over 29 games. The Bearcat coach has remarked how Smith has recovered from injury and looks like his old self. His best Louisville season came in 2022 when he had 27 catches for 370 yards. Last year as their main punt returner he totaled 141 yards.
"I've been with this staff a couple years now so I'm making the transition up here to Cincinnati, just trying to pick up where we left off," Smith said. "(I'm) trying to get better and make a statement this year, first year in the Big 12."
Knowledge has been power so far for Smith who has found pockets in the secondary as well as finding the ball.
"I know what they (coaches) want to do, I know their strengths and weaknesses," Smith said. "Coming in really knowing the playbook has allowed me to play faster."
Smith has also completed 5-of-10 passes in his career on trick plays for 160 yards and two touchdowns. He is right-handed if you're curious.
"My arm's good!" he said. "I tell Coach Satterfield all the time, you need an emergency quarterback, I got you! I'm just trying to master my role to help this team make a huge statement first year in the Big 12."
Dee Wiggins
Wiggins, like Smith, is also returning from injury and has been somewhat dominant in the early practices. He was limited to four catches in three games last year before getting hurt at Louisville, but as a Miami Hurricane, he could stretch the field. In 2020 he had 31 catches for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
"It's been physical," Wiggins said of the early work. "I've been mentally here. I'm just ready to go. Game one, EKU, (I'm) ready to ball out!"
Wiggins enjoys playing with Smith, even though their time on the field was short last year in Louisville. He's anxious to show what the tandem transfers can do and says he's back and better than ever from last year's injuries.
"It's going to be a great show out there," Wiggins said.
At 6-foot-3, he's added weight to 195 pounds and is of similar build to Florida transfer Xzavier Henderson who led the Gators in receptions last year with 38. Both are from Miami where the weather is hot and the players are fast.
"He's a long guy just like me," Wiggins said. "Both long and very fast. Whatever's in the air, you've got to go get it!"
Dorian Jones
Jones was a key contributor for Louisville the last three seasons with 90 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss over 36 games. Last season he totaled 34 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss with three sacks. UC defensive coordinator Bryan Brown's troops led the nation in sacks last season in Louisville as well as fourth-down defense.
"It's electric!" Jones said of Brown's scheme. "It's fast, dynamic, we're very aggressive up front and in the back end."
Add to Jones, the presence of Deshawn Pace at the star hybrid position and 6-foot-4, 238-pound Jack Dingle (from Louisville Trinity) and the linebackers appear as dangerous as UC's much-publicized defensive line.
"Jack is a freak!" Jones said. "He has all the measurables. He's great in the classroom as far as putting stuff up on the board and he's a great leader. We all do a good job of holding each other accountable and getting the best out of each other."
Jack Dingle is the son of former Bearcat captain Nate Dingle who played from 1990-93 and brother of recent safety Jacob Dingle.
Who's got the Sauce?
As mentioned earlier this week, former UC defensive back Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner graduates Friday at Fifth Third Arena. Just this week he was voted No. 22 among the NFL's top 100 players in a vote done by the players themselves. Gardner was a first-round pick of the Jets in April 2022.