Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Ben Bryant (6) passes the ball against the Temple Owls during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati QB Ben Bryant transfers to Northwestern

Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant announced Wednesday that he is transferring to Northwestern.

It is the second time Bryant has departed Cincinnati. He was with the program from 2018-20, left for one season at Eastern Michigan before returning to play for the Bearcats last season.

Now he will play for the Wildcats and coach Pat Fitzgerald in 2023.

“Thank you Cincinnati for all you have done for me,” Bryant wrote on Twitter. “You will always be home. Thank you Coach Fitz for this incredible opportunity. Let’s get to work.”

Bryant is from La Grange, Ill., just southwest of Chicago, so he grew up in close proximity to the Evanston campus north of the Windy City.

Bryant passed for 2,732 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games last season. In his one season at Eastern Michigan, Bryant threw for a career-high 3,121 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

At Northwestern, Bryant will be in a competition with Ryan Hilinski and Brendan Sullivan for the starting job. Hilinski passed for 1,644 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games last season while Sullivan had 589 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in five games.

Northwestern went 1-11 in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive end Big Kat Bryant (1) awaits the snap during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

‘Big Kat’ Bryant to join Gus Malzahn at UCF

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (99) forces a fumble by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive end Markaviest “Big Kat” Bryant said Tuesday that he plans to join former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn at UCF.

Bryant announced in January that he was entering the NCAA transfer portal and would play elsewhere for a fifth season, taking advantage of having another season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Soon after, he said he was heading to Tennessee but apparently changed his mind after the firing of coach Jeremy Pruitt amid allegations of recruiting violations.

Bryant made his decision to play at UCF known on social media, sharing a photo illustration of himself in a team uniform with the caption, “Big Kat in the Bounce House.”

Bryant finished 2020 with 17 tackles, including three sacks, and four quarterback hurries. In four years at Auburn, Bryant appeared in 49 games and amassed career totals of 56 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions and seven passes defended.

He becomes the third former Auburn player to commit to playing for Malzahn at UCF, joining running back Mark-Antony Richards and receiver Nate Craig-Myers in Orlando.

Auburn fired Malzahn on Dec. 13 after eight seasons (2013-20) and a 68-35 overall record, 39-27 in Southeastern Conference play. He had four years remaining on his seven-year, $49 million contract extension and guided the program to an SEC Championship and BCS National Championship appearance in his first season.

He was hired at UCF in January.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant (88) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns activate three from COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns activated three players from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, making them available for Sunday night’s wild-card game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Activated were tight end Harrison Bryant, safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. and linebacker Malcolm Smith. In addition, safety Jovante Moffatt will be able to play after the league determined he was not a close contact with someone who had tested positive, the team said.

The Browns also elevated wide receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley, tackle Alex Taylor and cornerback A.J. Green from the practice squad on Saturday. Green was designated as a COVID-19 replacement.

ESPN reported that the Browns got the OK to hold a walkthrough on Saturday before their flight to Pittsburgh. That’s good news for the Browns, who were limited to just one short practice on Friday after at least five positive COVID-19 tests.

Among those testing positive were head coach Kevin Stefanski, who will miss the game. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call the plays against the Steelers.

Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio tested positive for the virus and won’t travel to Pittsburgh. Other players on the reserve/COVID-19 list include quarterback Denzel Ward and receiver KhaDarel Hodge.

–Field Level Media

Dec 14, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant (88) makes a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns place Sendejo, Bryant on virus list

The Cleveland Browns placed starting safety Andrew Sendejo and rookie tight end Harrison Bryant on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

Cleveland (10-5) has not announced whether Sendejo or Bryant tested positive for the virus or if they were simply close contacts.

If they tested positive, they will be inactive for Sunday’s must-win Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3).

The Browns missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth last week against the New York Jets, partly because they played without starting wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, along with linebackers B.J. Goodson and Jacob Phillips.

Goodson tested positive for the virus leading up to the Week 16 contest, while the remaining five players were deemed close contacts and therefore were made inactive.

Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, Hodge and Phillips are all eligible to return for Sunday’s game vs. Pittsburgh. Goodson, however, is not eligible to return.

Cleveland can clinch a playoff berth this week with a win over Pittsburgh. A loss would require the Browns to get help from either the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins or Baltimore Ravens.

–Field Level Media