Cincinnati Bearcats try to reload following exodus of stars

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The cupboard wasn't left completely bare, but Luke Fickell had some major restocking to do.

The sixth-year Cincinnati coach is tasked with following up a historic 2021 season that saw the Bearcats become the first team outside a Power Five conference to crack the College Football Playoff.

The dream season ended with a 27-6 loss to Alabama in a semifinal, and then Cincinnati (13-1) watched a school-record nine players get selected in the NFL draft, led by cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, taken fourth overall by the New York Jets.

After losing the core of his best players, the pressure is on Fickell to show that the No. 23 Bearcats are built to last, especially as they prepare to make the leap from the middling American Athletic Conference to the Big 12 in 2023.

"Going into camp, it is definitely different," Fickell said. "Not that you're not battling every year and there are competitions in all different things. But this is a year where there’s definitely more of an edge. Definitely some unique battles, and it’s not just at the quarterback position."

There is definitely a sense of urgency for Cincinnati leading up to the season opener Sept. 3 at No. 19 Arkansas.

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"Camp is different knowing that those guys maybe haven’t played as many snaps, and you’re going to be walking into Fayetteville, Arkansas, and need to be playing your best," Fickell said. "There’s definitely a different feel and will be a different feel, I think, for our entire camp."

Cincinnati quarterback Evan Prater drops back to pass during an NCAA football intrasquad scrimmage in Cincinnati. Prater, who threw just