Dontay Corleone

Dontay Corleone
Cincinnati Bearcats – No. 2
PositionDefensive tackle
Class
Redshirt
Redshirt
Junior
MajorExploratory
Personal information
Born: (2002-08-07) August 7, 2002 (age 22)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight320 lb (145 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolColerain (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Career highlights and awards

Dontay Corleone (born August 7, 2002) is an American college football defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bearcats. He is nicknamed "The Godfather" due to his surname.[1][2]

Early life

Corleone grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, as one of four children to a single mother.[1][3] He attended Colerain High School, where as a senior he was named a member of the All-Ohio first team. A three-star prospect, Corleone committed to play college football at the University of Cincinnati, his childhood team.[4][5][1]

College career

Corleone would redshirt in his first season with the Bearcats.[1] In 2022, he would have a breakout season, emerging as Cincinnati's top lineman, recording 44 tackles and two forced fumbles.[1][2][6] At the conclusion of the 2022 season Corleone was named to the All-AAC first team and was tabbed as a freshman All-American by several media outlets.[1][2][6] Following the departure of coach Luke Fickell to Wisconsin, Corleone elected to stay at Cincinnati rather than enter the transfer portal, citing his loyalty to the program and love for the city of Cincinnati.[6][7] Prior to the 2023 season he was named a preseason first team All-American by the Associated Press.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Chadwick, Max (June 5, 2023). ""The Godfather": Dontay Corleone on becoming the boss of Cincinnati's defense". PFF. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Postins, Matthew (July 21, 2023). "Dontay Corleone, The 'Godfather,' is Coming to the Big 12". Heartland College Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Dyer, Mike (April 7, 2023). "'Football is everything to me': UC defensive lineman Dontay Corleone loves representing his hometown". WCPO 9 Cincinnati. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Dontay Corleone Becomes First Commit for the Bearcats 2021 Class". 247Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati Bearcats, Defensive Tackle". 247Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Heltman, Russ (August 21, 2023). "Look: Dontay Corleone in Elite Territory After Earning AP Preseason All-American Honors". All Bearcats. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hometown heroes explain love and loyalty for the city of Cincinnati and the Bearcats". 247Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "WATCH: UC's 'Godfather' Dontay Corleone makes AP preseason first-team All-America list". The Enquirer. Retrieved August 27, 2023.