ESPN Names Joe Cotton Among Top-100 2025 Transfers

Cincinnati has reshaped its offensive line.

Sep 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A detailed view of the Cincinnati Bearcats logo on a jersey at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats won 52-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — ESPN finalized its top-100 2025 transfer portal player rankings as the dust settles in May. Cincinnati had one addition on the list: Offensive tackle Joe Cotton at No. 81.

Cincinnati beat out teams like Wisconsin and Texas A&M to get the former South Dakota offensive tackle. It's a nice feather in the cap for offensive line coach Nic Cardwell.

"This was a massive get for the Bearcats," Max Olson wrote. "They've consistently done an impressive job of finding under-the-radar talent and quality starters in the portal, but this is a big splash and one they've been chasing since December while searching for a starter at left tackle. They got Cotton to shut down his process after his first official visit with Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas A&M, and several more Power 4 programs fighting to get him on campus."

Cotton has two years of eligibility left and should immediately stabilize Cincinnati's offensive tackle depth. It would be a shock if he doesn't start at left tackle like he did at South Dakota.

The redshirt junior left tackle played over 1,400 snaps for the Coyotes in the past two seasons at the FCS level. The 6-7, 310-pound mauler earned an 81.1 Pro Football Focus grade last season. Cincinnati has pivoted well from losing four of its five starters up front following the 2024 season.

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