Dontay Corleone to return for fourth year at Cincinnati - ESPN

Cincinnati All-America defensive tackle Dontay Corleone told ESPN that he's returning to the Bearcats for the 2024 season.

Citing loyalty to his school and city, faith in the coaching staff and a desire to further refine his game, Corleone said he's coming back to Cincinnati with the primary aim of helping the program rebound from a 3-9 season. He also said getting his degree factored into his decision, as he expects 2024 to be his fourth and final season at the school.

«It's to help my city out,» Corleone said. «I love my fan base. They are very loyal. I want to end on a high note. I believe in this coaching staff.»

Nicknamed «The Godfather,» Corleone is a 6-foot-2, 318-pound interior lineman who broke out during his redshirt freshman season in 2022. He had 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last year and ranked as Pro Football Focus' highest-ranked defensive player.

Corleone earned third-team All-America honors and was one of the country's highest-regarded defensive tackles heading into this season.

In 2023, Corleone ushered another strong campaign from his interior defensive line spot. He finished with 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, but his individual performance was overshadowed by the Bearcats' struggles transitioning to the Big 12, where they finished 1-8 in league play.

«Just improving, just winning more games,» he said. «That's our goal. We know what the Big 12 is like now. Now we know what we have to game-plan for.»

Corleone said his NFL draft prospects were anywhere from the second or third round to a late-round pick. He hopes to solidify them with a strong season.

Three scouts contacted by ESPN had varied projections and considered his choice wise, as they had Corleone everywhere from the back end of