University of Cincinnati Bearcats football is missing 135 receptions from last season via the NFL and the transfer portal. Only two receivers who had catches in 2025 returned, and they combined for 16 receptions.
On the other hand, UC added 150 college receptions through the 2026 portal.
Head coach Scott Satterfield's offenses have typically been run-heavy with a mobile quarterback. The new man behind center, JC French IV, comes as Georgia Southern's all-time leading passer, who threw for more yards in the past two seasons than Brendan Sorsby (5,760 to 5,613).
Behind a better offensive line than he had at Georgia Southern, French could reach 3,000 if UC's 2026 receivers step up the way the 2025 group did. Taking over as receivers coach is Vijay
Stingley, who was inside receivers coach last season. He's been with Satterfield since the 2020 season in Louisville.
Who are Cincinnati Bearcats' wide receivers to watch in 2026?
Malachi Henry, senior, Central Arkansas transfer – From the school that brought the Bearcats future pro linebacker Jake Golday, Henry had 69 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"Malachi's had a great three weeks of practice." Satterfield said. "(He's) very, very consistent, very poised in catching the football."
Larenzo Fenner, senior, South Dakota transfer – Fenner played a season with left tackle Joe Cotton in South Dakota and that was a big influence in getting him to Cincinnati. He caught 44 passes for 1,001 yards and 15 touchdowns and averaged 22.5 yards per catch, second-best in FCS.
"He's really developed his physicality," Stingley said. "Obviously, he's a vertical threat down the field. He's had a ton of experience. He's a football player that can run the whole route tree."
Cade Wolford, junior, Kent State transfer – The 5-foot-10 speedster from Jackson, Ohio, caught 19 passes for the Golden Flashes for 509 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 26.8 yards per catch. He also had 96 rushing yards and a touchdown and returned kicks. He came to Kent State as a running back.
"I trained very hard growing up and still do," Wolford said. "Speed kills. That's what they say."
JV Gibson, fifth-year player, Oklahoma transfer – Gibson caught 18 passes for the Sooners for 199 yards and a touchdown. The year before at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, he had 70 catches for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. He's a big target at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds. Gibson could become a major "go-to" guy for quarterback French.
"JV's a big, strong kid who's made a lot of plays," Satterfield said.
UC Bearcats newcomers to watch
Jalen Williams, freshman, Bloomington, Indiana – At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, UC moved him from tight end to receiver, and he could get into the rotation with length and ball skills. Williams had 947 receiving yards for 15 touchdowns.
"He has elite ball skills," Stingley said. "When his number's been called, he's made plays. He's definitely a one-on-one vertical threat, a guy in the red zone that can win those one-on-one matchups."
Joshua Smith, freshman, Columbus – Smith is another 6-foot-5 target who switched positions. Smith was a quarterback in high school at Africentric, totaling 4,425 yards in the air and throwing 59 touchdowns while adding 777 yards on the ground with 13 rushing scores.
"He's been as surprising as anybody," Stingley said.
Dadrien Waller, freshman, Guntersville, Alabama – Another long field-stretcher at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Waller is more evidence of the body frames UC sought in recruiting receivers.
H'eij Jackson, freshman, New Orleans – More of the same in the freshman class, as Jackson is 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds.
"Those four (freshmen) I'm really, really excited about," Stingley said. "That was something that was done intentionally. We wanted to get bigger with that class and we were able to do so."
Pierce Ayers, sophomore, Wittenberg transfer – Ayers prepped at Williamsburg, catching passes from fellow UC walk-on JJ Miller. They both played at Wittenberg, where Ayers caught 37 balls for 440 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Returning UC Bearcats receivers
Isaiah Johnson, junior – A transfer from Western Carolina last year, Johnson caught 14 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns last season.
"This year I'm going to show that I'm more than a gadget player, that I'm a true receiver," Johnson said.
Elijah Jones, junior – A high school teammate of quarterback Samaj Jones, he had two catches for 17 yards last season.
Giyahni Kontosis, sophomore – "Geo" played in three games last season with no catches, but he could start in 2026.
"Geo's a great blocker," Satterfield said. "He's got to get a little more consistent in route running and catching the ball."
Added Stingley, "Geo Kontosis is a very physical guy. He brings the energy and physicality of the group, and guys kind of follow him."
Bearcats receivers moving to NFL, other teams
Cyrus Allen, Kansas City Chiefs – Allen was UC's top receiver with 51 catches last year and had a record-tying 13 touchdown receptions. He was the star of training camp for the Chiefs as a fifth-round draft choice.
Jeff Caldwell, Chiefs – The 6-foot-5 Caldwell was taken as a free agent by the Chiefs, but he was released in an injury settlement. Caldwell caught 32 passes last season, making the jump from FCS Lindenwood University to the Big 12.
Caleb Goodie, Missouri – With the Bearcats, Goodie had 29 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 16.7 yards per reception after transferring from Colorado State.
Noah Jennings, Minnesota – Jennings caught 23 passes for 323 yards last season for the Bearcats after transferring from Charleston Southern.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats receivers who could impact 2026 season
