UC Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield says Dontay Corleone is back running with the team

LAS VEGAS – Prior to his official remarks at the Big 12 media gathering, University of Cincinnati football coach Scott Satterfield told The Enquirer that defensive lineman Dontay Corleone has returned to conditioning work with the Bearcats.

Late last month, it was announced Corleone had blood clots in his lungs. After treatment from Senior Associate AD/Sports Medicine Aaron Himmler and team physician Dr. Jon Divine, it was declared the All-Big 12 First Team selection was out indefinitely.

In between pre-program interviews, Satterfield said Corleone has returned to running and they will wait for further medical advice for when he can return to hitting and football activities. He believes Corleone will be fine long-term.

Satterfield on Corleone from Big 12 podium

"Fortunately for Dontay, there was nothing else," Satterfield said. "Everything else is healthy, his heart and there's no other blood clots. He's back with our team working out. He started last week. He'll workout all summer. We're taking it day-by-day. Hopefully, as we progress throughout the summer and head into fall camp, he'll be available to play."

Satterfield mentioned what Corleone means to the team being from Cincinnati and being an outstanding leader. Had Corleone not had the ailment, he would have been one of UC's representatives at the Big 12 gathering just as he was last season in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium.

Other players have played with Corleone's ailment, including one from West Virginia as Mountaineers coach Neal Brown made a quick call to Satterfield upon hearing the news of Corleone's predicament.

Getting the news last month was tough for Satterfield to hear.

"I'm probably as close to Dontay as anyone on our team," Satterfield said. "When I first heard it, I was blown away. I didn't know what that meant. As you research it a little bit more you hear about some players that have gone through the same thing I was optimistic and hopeful. I think we're still trending that way."

Progress over in less than a month

Corleone reported chest discomfort and shortness of breath last month. Corleone, a 2023 Associated Press preseason All-American and PFF's highest-rated defensive player in 2022, is a redshirt junior with 83 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in his 23 games for the Bearcats.

He was discharged from the hospital June 14 and resumed work with the Bearcats last week with the goal of eventually returning to the field.