STARS OF 2008:

CB Mike Mickens -- One of the nation's top covermen, Mickens was second on the team with six interceptions and had 53 tackles.

P Kevin Huber -- It might seem unusual to designate a punter as a returning star, but Huber is one of the best in the country with a 47-yard average, and a key weapon in the Bearcats' arsenal.

DT Terrill Byrd -- Byrd, who had 56 tackles and eight sacks, will need to overcome an offseason arrest to once again anchor the Bearcats' defensive line. Byrd is Cincinnati's top run-stopper and pass-rusher.

WR Dominick Goodman -- After a slow start, Goodman responded to lead the team with 869 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He'll be the Bearcats' most explosive downfield threat.

TOP NEWCOMERS

QB Demetrius Jones -- A transfer from Notre Dame who is eligible this season might take the reins of the Bearcats' spread offense.

RB Isaiah Pead -- Pead, the Ohio Division IV Player of the Year, rushed for 2,204 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior. He could be utilized as a receiver out of the backfield in Cincinnati's spread offense.

WR D.J. Woods -- Woods was Cincinnati's most sought-after recruit. The 6-foot, 170-pound receiver, who chose Cincinnati over Michigan, possesses great speed and play-making ability.

DB Dominique Battle -- Standout corners Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith are seniors, so Battle will be expected to contribute as a freshman. Battle's physical with outstanding ball skills.

ROSTER REPORT

--According to court documents, All-American defensive tackle Terrill Byrd, a junior from Cincinnati's Colerain High School, was caught smoking marijuana at his residence at 11 p.m. March 5. No disciplinary action was taken by the team pending completion of an internal investigation.

--A vacancy on Cincinnati's coaching staff was filled by the hiring of veteran assistant William Inge, who takes over as linebackers coach. Inge, 34, served the past two seasons as linebackers coach at San Diego State. Tim Hinton simultaneously returned to the role as running backs coach, a position he held at UC from 2004-2006.

--Wide receiver Marcus Barnett, who suffered a broken fibula in the PapaJohn's.com Bowl Dec. 22, underwent surgery on the leg Dec. 24 to insert a steel plate. The injury was expected to sideline Barnett for three months, meaning he'll miss spring practice.

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