Cincinnati All-American defensive tackle Dontay Corleone is sidelined indefinitely after being hospitalized earlier this month due to blood clots in his lungs. With the Bearcats’ fall camp starting in less than five weeks, Corleone’s availability for August and beyond remains uncertain. “Right now, my focus is on recovery,” Corleone stated in a university announcement. “I hope to return to football soon, but in the meantime, I will concentrate on rehab and supporting the team as a leader and mentor to our younger players. I look forward to being with the team again.
The sky’s the limit for the Bearcats this season. I love my teammates, coaches, the university, the city, and, of course, the fanbase, which has been incredibly supportive over the past three years.” Corleone was the top-ranked defensive player by Pro Football Focus as a redshirt freshman in 2022 and made the All-American team in 2023. Head coach Scott Satterfield praised the medical staff for their swift action in treating Corleone. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, Corleone is now undergoing treatment at home after a one-night hospital stay. He reported chest pain and breathing difficulties to the team trainers. Since his release from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Dr. Jon Divine, the Bearcats’ head team physician, has been working with UCMC specialists on Corleone’s recovery plan. “Fortunately, we caught this early, and we hope he can safely return to football soon. We are consulting specialists to determine the next steps,” said Aaron Himmler, UC senior associate athletic director for sports medicine. Over the past two seasons, Corleone has recorded 6.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 85 total tackles for the Bearcats.
