Cincinnati Bearcats defensive end Myjai Sanders (21) pumps up the team and the fans in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Georgia Bulldogs won, 24-21. Georgia Bulldogs Vs Cincinnati Bearcats Chick Fil A Peach Bowl 2020 Jan 1 2021 — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

UC Ranked Fourth in Top-25 2018 Football Classes

Luke Fickell's first real crack at a full recruiting class turned into a gem.

Author:
Russ Heltman
May 25, 2022 10:23 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — The Athletic's Max Olson dove into the 2018 college football recruiting classes to find the best ones four years later. Cincinnati made it onto the list at No. 4 after producing multiple NFL Draft picks from a group featuring, DE Myjai Sanders, WR Alec Pierce, TE Josh Whyle, S Ja’Von Hicks, OL Lorenz Metz.

"Having a full cycle to build relationships helped to land some big-time players like Sanders, a three-star from Florida who had academic issues. They stuck with him, earned his trust, and got him in," Olson wrote. "Sanders turned into a two-time, first-team All-AAC pass rusher. Then there were players such as Pierce, a multi-sport athlete from Illinois whom they loved and developed into a second-round pick. He’s one of eight players in this class who has started 20-plus games. They also nailed their evaluations of one of the toughest positions to project — offensive line — and found five future starters up front."

Olson scored each class on a 0-5 points system where an All-American/award winner/Top-50 draft pick earns a five and zero contribution earns a zero, with everything else in between.

This class was the foundation for the 2021 CFP run. 20 players from 2018 have started games, and 10 started against Alabama on New Year's Eve. Now, guys like Sanders and Pierce are ready to strap on NFL helmets, while Hicks and Metz are huge pieces in Cincinnati's pursuit of a third-straight AAC title in 2022.

Check out the full Top-25 list right here.

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