ESPN College Football Recruiting

Cincinnati
Strong Safety
Starter Haruki Nakamura and backup Evan Sparks are both seniors with no heir apparent. While Aaron Webster appears poised to take over the reigns at free safety in two years, he lacks ideal size for his frame, making him far less effective when he lines up at strong safety. Ideally, the Bearcats sign a blue-chip prospect with the speed, instincts and size to push for playing time during his freshman season.
Outside Linebacker
The good news is Cincinnati signed Ricardo Thompson (Cincinnati), who can line up on the inside or outside, Alex Delisi (Orchard Lake, Mich.). The bad news is Leo Morgan, Jon Carpenter and Anthony Williams are all seniors. Add in the fact that Corey Smith and Delbert Ferguson are both juniors, and adding at least two outside linebackers this upcoming off-season becomes that much more important.
Defensive Tackle
Though the Bearcats signed three players that have experience lining up at defensive tackle, Frank Becker out of Cincinnati and T.J. Franklin out of Maryville, Tenn., are expected to move to the offensive line. In addition, Rob Trigg out of Dayton, Ohio lacks prototypical bulk. With Jon Newton a senior and Adam Hoppell and Terrill Byrd juniors, Cincinnati needs some new blood here.

Connecticut
Defensive Tackle
Dan Davis is a senior and Rob Lunn, who is expected to start opposite him, is a red-shirt junior with no heir apparent behind either. In addition, there isn't great size among the reserves. Signing 300-pounder Twyon Martin out of Parkland, Fla., is a step in the right direction, but the Huskies have to continue to beef up the middle or they will continue to have problems stopping the run.
Defensive End
Connecticut signed three freshmen capable of playing defensive end. And even though Greg Lloyd out of Clermont, Fla., is expected to line up at outside linebacker because of concerns about his ability to anchor at the line, depth really isn't the issue. The problem is the Huskies have not done a great job of getting to the quarterback. Adding an explosive pass rusher that can consistently apply pressure coming off the edge will draw blockers away from the rest of the defensive line and take some pressure off the secondary.
Center
Starter Keith Gray and backup Trey Tonsing are both red-shirt juniors. Red-shirt freshman Alex LaMagdelaine is versatile enough to line up at center, but he is expected to play guard, where he is probably a better fit. While the Huskies signed one center this year, he wasn't highly touted coming out of high school. Connecticut should target at least one center with the potential to develop into its anchor in the middle.

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