Report: Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone to return after blood clots

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th September, 10:52 2024

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Dontay Corleone (2) is double-teamed on a pass rush in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the West Virginia Mountaineers, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W. Va.

Cincinnati defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, sidelined this summer with blood clots in his lungs, will start Saturday's home game against Pitt, ESPN reported.

The 6-foot-1, 320-pound junior team captain sat out the Bearcats' season-opening 38-20 win against Towson but was cleared for full contact on Tuesday.

An All-Big 12 second-team selection in 2023, Corleone has been projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Dubbed "The Godfather," Corleone has registered 83 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles in 23 games with the Bearcats.

"I'm excited to be back on the field with my brothers," Corleone said earlier this week. "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."

--Field Level Media