By Cord Rankin
9 3 2024
CINCINNATI – Cincinnati football redshirt junior defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, a 2022 All-American and preseason All-Big 12 selection this fall, has been cleared to play in games by the Cincinnati Athletics sports medicine staff.
He will be a full participant in practice for the first time this season on Tuesday. His playing status for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh (12 p.m. ET) will be determined later in the week.
Corleone was treated for blood clots in his lungs in June.
Led by Senior Associate Athletic Director of Sports Medicine Aaron Himmler and team physician Dr. Jon Divine, Cincinnati sports medicine staff, Corleone and his family met with several physicians and specialists to develop a personal medical plan for the Cincinnati native to return to football activities safely.
“I’m excited to be back on the field with my brothers,” Corleone said. “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 had been a limited participant in every practice during training camp.
“We leaned on several specialists and physicians who have prepared other collegiate and professional athletes to play football safely after suffering similar conditions,” Himmler said. “Dontay’s health has been and will continue to be our No. 1 priority. I am proud of the amount of effort and coordination that our entire Performance Health and Wellness Team has put forth to create a comprehensive approach to prepare Dontay in every way. We have closely monitored Dontay every step of the way over the last several months and will continue to do so. He has participated in nearly every practice or workout since July and has made a remarkable recovery. I have admired his poise and determination throughout this process.”
Corleone, a 6-1, 320-pounder, has 83 tackles, 12 TFLs, six sacks and three forced fumbles over 23 career games, constantly taking on double teams and wrecking offensive lines en route to all-conference honors in 2022 and 2023. Corleone was a consensus Freshman All-American in 2022 and collected Associated Press Third Team All-America honors. He starred at Colerain High School before joining UC in 2021 and redshirting. Nicknamed “The Godfather,” he has endeared himself to fans and earned respect from his teammates. He was voted a team captain in 2023 and 2024.
“Dontay has really worked hard to get to this point, and we are excited to have him back,” head coach Scott Satterfield said. “Despite being limited, he has stepped up as a team leader and maintained a steadying influence on the team. We are grateful to our medical staff for implementing a plan that will allow Dontay to play. We will continue to closely monitor him. We are thrilled he is healthy and ready to come back.”
COURTESY UC SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS
