Cincinnati football head coach Luke Fickell announced the addition of transfer running back Corey Kiner, a Cincinnati native and Roger Bacon High School graduate.
Kiner comes back home to the Bearcats after one season at LSU, where he rushed for 324 yards and two touchdowns on 79 attempts over 11 games during the 2021 season.
He had a 74-yard, one-touchdown game for the Tigers last fall against Central Michigan and gained 56 yards while adding a score against McNeese State. He added a 49-yard performance at Ole Miss and capped the season with 53 yards on 14 carries in the Texas Bowl.
Kiner was named Ohio' Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020, joining Cincinnati quarterback Evan Prater as current Bearcats who have won the coveted honors.
"I'm excited to welcome Corey and his family to our Cincinnati football program," Fickell said. "Corey is a tough, explosive and smart football player who we expect to have an immediate impact on our football team. He has a tremendous drive to succeed on and off the field. I know he's excited to come home and play in front of friends and family at Nippert Stadium, and we are thrilled to have him."
The 5-9, 217-pounder was one of the nation's top prep running backs in the 2021 class. He ranked as the nation's No. 7 running back and No. 7 prospect in Ohio in the 247 Sports Composite following a standout career at Roger Bacon.
Kiner wrapped up his high school career by ranking 10th in Ohio history in rushing yards (7,130) and third all-time in scoring (772), rushing touchdowns (116) and total touchdowns (125). Additionally, he led Roger Bacon to its first-ever regional championship in 2020, and finished his senior season with 1,866 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns.
Kiner rushed for a school-record 302 yards in just his second career game as freshman at Roger Bacon and later scored eight touchdowns and rushed for 323 yards against Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy as a junior in 2019.