Former Ohio Mr. Football Kiner leaves LSU for UC
Former Roger Bacon High School running back and 2020 Ohio Mr. Football Corey Kiner is leaving LSU and returning home to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Monday he said he was entering the NCAA transfer portal. The announcement regarding his destination came that night via a Twitter video featuring "Put On" by E Watts featuring Young Jeezy and the 513 area code.
“I had to make a decision as far as me being happy,” Kiner said. “My grandmother and grandfather and little cousins and brothers and sisters and all that, they can come to see every home game now.”
Though UC returns some experience at running back with redshirt freshman Ryan Montgomery, senior Charles Mcclelland, junior Ethan Wright and sophomore Myles Montgomery, they are still trying to find a clear No. 1 following the departure of Jerome Ford, for the NFL Draft.
Kiner would be the first Ohio Mr. Football running back for the Bearcats since Michael Warren II, who won the honor for Toledo Central Catholic in 2016.
As a result of Kiner's move, coach Luke Fickell has two former Ohio Mr. Football winners on his roster. Evan Prater won the honor out of Wyoming High School in 2019.
Kiner rushed for 7,130 yards during his Roger Bacon career, including 1,866 as a senior with 35 touchdowns. During that season, he was often held out of the second half of games when the Spartans had healthy leads.
During LSU'S 5-6 season this past fall, Kiner ran for 324 yards and two touchdowns. His best game was 74 yards with a touchdown against Central Michigan on Sept. 18. His last game was Jan. 4 when he ran for 53 yards in LSU'S 42-20 Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State.
By that time, Ed Orgeron had been dismissed. Kevin Faulk, a former NFL running back turned LSU assistant was not kept on new coach Brian Kelly's staff. Faulk was influential in getting Kiner to LSU.
“The people you work out with, shed tears and put in work with, those are family members,” Kiner said. “I can't wait to put in work with my new family. Coach Fickell and my relationship just picked up where it left off in my recruiting.”
Kiner is departing LSU prior to the Tigers' spring game on Saturday.
”I'm happy to wear that Cincinnati across my chest and I'm going to do it with pride,” Kiner said.