UC Bearcats Evan Tengesdahl, Eli Stein among Phil Steele All-Americans

Cincinnati Bearcats redshirt junior offensive lineman Evan Tengesdahl and redshirt senior long snapper Eli Stein have both been named Second Team Preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele, the publication announced recently.

Tengesdahl and Stein were also two of Cincinnati’s eight Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 honorees.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Joe Cotton joined Tengesdahl and Stein on the all-conference first team. Redshirt senior defensive back MJ Cannon and redshirt senior punter Max Fletcher earned spots on the second team, redshirt senior offensive lineman Taran Tyo was placed on the third team, while redshirt senior linebacker Jonathan Thompson and redshirt senior kicker Stephen Rusnak were both picked to the fourth team.

The offensive line trio of Cotton, Tengesdahl, and Tyo comprises one of the nation’s top returning units . Cincinnati’s O-line allowed the fewest sacks (8) and tackles for loss (43) among Power Four teams in 2025.

Cotton, Fletcher, Stein, and Tyo were all Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 recipients last season as well.

Season tickets are now on sale for Cincinnati football’s six home games this fall. Historic Nippert Stadium will welcome Big 12 opponents Texas Tech, Utah and Colorado for the first time. The Bearcats are in town all of September as they don't have their first road game until Oct. 3 at Arizona .

Nippert Stadium will feature UC vs. Boston College Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. UC vs. Western Carolina Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. and the Big 12 opener vs. Kansas State Sept. 26.

The Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Miami RedHawks Battle for the Victory Bell will be at TQL Stadium Sept. 19 and is not part of the season ticket package. Details for those tickets will be announced soon.