Report: Cincinnati Star DE to Return Against West Virginia Rival

The return of a star player could impact a game WVU will be keeping an eye on. All-American defensive end Dontay Corleone is returning to action and starting for Cincinnati this afternoon as the Bearcats host Pitt at Nippert Stadium, according to a report by Pete Thamel of ESPN.

Corleone was cleared to return to games earlier this week by the Cincinnati sports medicine staff, and his status for the game was initially uncertain.

Corleone was treated for blood clots in his lungs in June and ruled out indefinitely.

Dontay Corleone was to play in games by the Cincinnati sports medicine staff earlier in the week, the program announced Tuesday. Corleone returned to practice today, and his status for Saturday’s game against Pitt will be decided later this week.

“I’m excited to be back on the field with my brothers,” Corleone said in the Cincy release. “I will continue to lead on and off the field. My family and I are very thankful for Aaron Himmler, Dr. Divine and the entire UC sports medicine staff. I also want to thank all of our fans for their love and support throughout this process. For the last few months, I have worked extremely hard to make a return. With the help of our strength and conditioning staff, especially (assistant director of sports performance) Brandon Garcia, who worked with me daily, I feel fully prepared to play this season.”

Corleone was treated for blood clots in his lungs in June and ruled out indefinitely.

Corleone — a 6-foot-1, 320-pound defensive tackle from Cincinnati, Ohio — emerged as one of the best 0-technique defensive tackles in college football over the last two seasons.

Corleone racked up three tackles (one solo), a tackle for loss and a sack in a 27-21 win over the Panthers, dominating the Pitt offensive line throughout the contest. Pat Narduzzi pointed to Corleone as a difference-maker before the game and that prediction came to fruition.

He racked up 39 tackles (22 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup at nose tackle last season — earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. And in his collegiate career, he’s accumulated 84 tackles (41 solo), 12 tackles for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, two recoveries and a pass breakup.

Beyond any benefit from Corleone individually, the Cincinnati defense needs as much help as it can get. The Bearcats are already without defensive tackle Jalen Hunt, who is missing the entire 2024 season after he sustained a knee injury during a fall camp practice a few weeks ago.

Pitt and Cincinnati are scheduled to kick off at noon at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. For those interested in checking in since West Virginia doesn’t play until later that night, the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Part of this story initially appeared on our partner site Pittsburgh Sports Now.