February 26, 2025 • 12 mins
UC Center Gavin Gerhardt is returning to play for the Bearcats for a sixth season. He joined us to discuss his decision, the offseason, and more.
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Podcasts of The Mo Egger Radio Show are a service of Longnecks Sports Grill.
Listen to the show live weekday afternoons 3:00 - 6:00 on ESPN1530.
Listen Live: ESPN1530.com/listen
Get more: https://linktr.ee/MoEgger
Follow on X: @MoEgger
Instagram too: @MoEgger
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
That's either as well as US ESPN fifteen thirty, twenty
six away from five o'clock. This is ESPN fifteen thirty
on Moegger speaking of the Bearcats. Among the returning players
is Gavin Gerhart. You might have seen if you were
watching WWE RAW the other night. Gavin is coming back
to the University of Cincinnati. He has been a team
(00:21):
captain for a while. His college football career started in
twenty twenty, his red shirt season. He has been an
anchor for some very good offensive lines at the University
of Cincinnati, and if you're a Bearcat fan like me,
you are thrilled to find out that he is going
to return for one more season at UC. The Pride
of Xenia. Gavin Gerhart kind enough to give us a
(00:44):
few minutes this afternoon. I appreciate the time. Gavin.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
How are you. I'm doing really well. How about yourself?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I'm doing well, man. I have a lot that I
want to talk with you about. So you made the
decision to come back to UC. Your college career goes
back quite a long time. I know there's a lot
of different things you had to consider, a lot of
different variables. You had to weigh and maybe people you
had to talk to, uh, walk me through the decision
making that led you to choosing to return to UC.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I mean, this is in the everlasting, you know change
in college football. This is there's so much change, and
there was no doubt in my mind that this is
where I wanted to be and when I chose here.
I committed here when I was a sophomore in high
school and I committed to play here for my entire
college career. I didn't commit to play here for you know,
four or five seasons. I committed if I'm going to
(01:34):
be in college football, this is where I'm going to be,
and it's close to family, and I believe a lot
in this coaching staff, and I love having coach Carlwoll
as a coach and having that opportunity to come back
and be a leader again for the not just the
whole team, but the offensive line in particular. With a
lot of new faces transfer wise, freshmen wise, a lot
(01:54):
of new guys will be playing next to me. But
I'm excited for the opportunity to come back here for
my some final season.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Yeah, it's it's a lot different from last year where
we were talking about you know, everybody on the offensive
line coming back and this team benefiting from that continuity,
and now there's a lot of different moving parts. Is
that what's most different about this offseason compared to some
of the previous ones.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, I would say so. I mean, I love the
guy that this this program has brought in, and this
coaching staff has brought into this program. And you know,
the offensive line wise, it's gonna be me and four
new guys out there. Really, well, three new guys out there.
Dion's back too, and and Deon's done a really good
job developing these last couple of years, and I think
(02:40):
he's gonna have the best season yet this season. And
then there's three new guys that have played a lot
of ball. You know tarn Tios from Ball State. Got
to meet him during the recruiting process. A great family,
a really good football player. He'll be a really good
football player for us. And uh, you know, I took
that weight and to get kind of on the chain
that I need to lead these guys no matter who's
(03:02):
out there with me, that it's my responsibility make sure
they're all going in the right direction, and I'll make
sure that happens.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
It seems to a degree.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And I remember two years ago when Luke Candrew came
from Louisville to Cincinnati having been with the previous coaching
staff at Louisville. He was so helpful and just teaching
you guys the terminology and some of the stuff you
had to know. On a more mechanic level, I would
imagine you were doing some of the same sort of stuff.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yes, for sure, definitely what Candre brought to the team
when he came here. You know, obviously the coaches do
a great job of getting us the game plans and
telling us how to run the plays and exactly what
we're supposed to execute, But some of it comes with
just being a kind of a savvy football player, known
the terminology, knowing that regardless of what look the defense
throws at us, because there's always new looks every week
(03:49):
that you know, it's going to be a different call
here and there that maybe we didn't talk about in
the meeting, because you know, they could just throw whatever
out there on us on Saturday, it doesn't matter. So
having him to help me the last two seasons really
gain all the information that he had learned the first
three seasons when he was at Louisville coach sat in them.
I think will be real helpful for me to pass
that on as I as I, you know, enter my
(04:11):
final season here.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
What is it going to be like for you this
year having the same quarterback as last season.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
I mean, it's gonna be really good. I haven't had
necessarily the same guy behind me since I've switched, you know,
transition to center with my after my second year. When
I first got here, it's been a different guy. I
would think every time I look back, if somebody knew
that was calling the plays rather that was in a
game or you know, during practice, it didn't matter. But
(04:40):
Sworersby's done a great job. He's taken a lot of
a lot of steps when it comes to leadership and
everything that we need. You know, other guys besides myself
and Dante that have established that in this culture and
this this team. But he's done a great job so far,
and I'm excited for this season.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Well, and I've got to ask about Dante and you
and I have talked about your your practice battles in
the past. I've got to think by the time you
get to the end of this season, you might already
be there now with the amount of time you have
spent practicing against each other, that you guys are like
an old married couple by.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Now, Yeah, you could say that that's for sure. I
mean he's been here for five and I've been here
for six, and we've gone at it regardless of what
year was. It's I'm seeing him every day in practice
getting his best, He's getting my best, and he brought
the best out of me. There's no doubt that having
a guy like that to push you every day and
(05:33):
give you the best look possible. I mean, he in
all honestly gives me better looks and I get in
the game. When I got there for a game, it's
nobody that's as strong as him and as low as
him and everything that he brings to the table. But
he has definitely helped me elevate my game. I'm real
thankful that he's back here for a final season.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
When you think of last season, and there was a
stretch where you guys are sitting there at five and
two and we're talking about, you know, the Bearcats being
a factor in the Big twelve rate, and then the
way the rest of the season unfolded. Uh, nobody liked
it and and offensively, it felt like a lot of
the things that kind of came easier to you early
in the season obviously not so much in the second
(06:12):
half of the season. What what sort of things come
to mind when you think of how last season from
an offensive perspective, how last season ended.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I think we started to maybe lose a little confidence
in ourselves. And I've had a lot of conversations with
the coaches and Sowresby, and you know, you make some
mental mistakes and you kind of get to yourself and
then you kind of lose that rhythm of what you're
in already. And I mean as the season progressed, we
we were doing the same things and practice and whatnot
(06:40):
and going about and the culture has changed so much
from you know, coach sat and there their first season
here and that that definitely wasn't an issue by any means.
I think that was our issue two seasons ago, and
hoping we admit that, and you know, we took that
to heart a lot of the leaders that that wasn't
going to be the case this year, and we started
really strong. We just got to figure out a way
to finished some of the close games. It's and when
(07:03):
you break down the film, it really is a couple
of plays here and there that I'm confident that we
really could have played for a big twelve championship if
we would have done the right things in the right time.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Gavin Garrethart is with us returning to the University of
Cincinnati for a six season, have you even thought about
what a sixth season of college football? A sixth season
is a college A six year as a college student
is going to be?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Like, No, I mean it started to thinking a little bit.
You know, when I was a young guy, I never
really thought I would have I knew that, you know,
because my freshman season was COVID years. I knew I
had that other year in the second season, I played
in four so I was able to redshirt. But I
didn't necessarily think I was going to be here for
for six seasons. It's definitely taking a little too toll
(07:48):
on the body, definitely doing a lot more treatment than
I was this first couple of years and getting my
body doing right. It's even the little stuff that, oh,
that doesn't feel so good when I'm doing stuff out
on the field, but you know, I'm willing to push
through it, to sacrifice whatever I can to help this
team win.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I will.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
I will admit to you that I know very little
about professional wrestling, but I know on social media everybody
was excited that you guys were at RAW the other night.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Are you a huge wrestling fan?
Speaker 2 (08:16):
I grew up. I grew up a big wrestling fan.
My brother is a huge wrestling fan. I know Sorgsby
and Dante are huge wrestling fans. I think that was
gold Ay and myself and Joe's really first event. Besides,
I took my brother and Sorgsby and Dante as we
went to Roll Rumble about a month ago. Wow. Yeah,
they're big into it. And I know that. You know,
(08:39):
Sorsby's been a lifelong fan, and it gives me joy
to be able to do stuff like that with the guys,
and especially with my brother, even though I'm there with
my teammates. Knowing that I can, you know, have him
come along and something he really enjoys brings a lot
of joy in my heart.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
All right, Well, it looks it looks like fun. I'd
be blind you if I told you. I watch a
lot of prof and wrestling, but from what I saw,
looks like you guys were having a having a great time, Enjoy,
enjoy the offseason and spring balls coming up, and hopefully
we can chat as the season unfolds in twenty twenty five.
Glad you're back at UC and looking forward to a
(09:16):
much better twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Thank you so much, Gavin, appreciate thank you for having
me on.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
You got it, You got it, Gavin Gerhart, coming back
for his sixth season at the University of Cincinnati. Gavin
and his teammates will play seven home games this year.
Seven home games this year. I said, you can. What
are your tickets now for the entire twenty twenty five
season at Go Bearcats dot com.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Seven home games.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
At Knippert Stadium this year, sixteen away from five o'clock,
by the way in Arizona. Today, Matt McClain has homered.
He's also doubled twice. Christian and Karnassi on Strand has
homered and the Reds are beating the Angels by a score.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Of a five to one. How about that. I'm a
clinic Christian, a Kernassian Straan. Two guys.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Obviously, Matt didn't play at all Christian at Karnassian straanm
barely played both providing some encouragement if you will, some production,
some pop with the bat against the angels. We are
excited today because we got Skyline. The Skyway is back
at Skyline for two weeks only between now in March
March ninth. This is cool you get when you go
(10:28):
to Skyline. Fifty percent extra cheese at no extra charge
on your regular or Large way, three, four.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Or five way. I love three ways at Skyline.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
I'm in middlely, mostly a cheese coney guy, but I
do love to change things up. Get a three way
and then you add even more cheese. I mean, come on,
this is a dream come true for Skyline cheese lovers.
They're only available at participating Skyline locations through March ninth,
so you have I guess about a week and a
half or so, so take advantage of this.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
This Skyway is back, only.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Available at participating locations on regular and large ways only.
And don't forget tomorrow National Chili Day. No better way
to celebrate than with a Skyway at Skyline. It's quarter
to five, five, one, three, seven, four, nine fifteen thirty.
Paul Danner Junior from The Combine coming up in ten
(11:22):
minutes on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty traffic from.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
The UC Health Traffic Center. Around forty percent of cancers
are preventable. Lifestyle changes in screenings can make a difference.
Call five one three five eighty five UCCC eastbound two
seventy five, year seventy one. It's an accident on the
left shoulder on southbound seventy one. Accident on the right shoulder,
that one over near Taft Road and westbound seventy four.
(11:52):
It's an accident on the exit ramp to Montana Avenue.
Police there on the scene. I'm at Ezelek with traffic.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Report is sponsored
That's either as well as US ESPN fifteen thirty, twenty
six away from five o'clock. This is ESPN fifteen thirty
on Moegger speaking of the Bearcats. Among the returning players
is Gavin Gerhart. You might have seen if you were
watching WWE RAW the other night. Gavin is coming back
to the University of Cincinnati. He has been a team
(00:21):
captain for a while. His college football career started in
twenty twenty, his red shirt season. He has been an
anchor for some very good offensive lines at the University
of Cincinnati, and if you're a Bearcat fan like me,
you are thrilled to find out that he is going
to return for one more season at UC. The Pride
of Xenia. Gavin Gerhart kind enough to give us a
(00:44):
few minutes this afternoon. I appreciate the time. Gavin.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
How are you. I'm doing really well. How about yourself?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I'm doing well, man. I have a lot that I
want to talk with you about. So you made the
decision to come back to UC. Your college career goes
back quite a long time. I know there's a lot
of different things you had to consider, a lot of
different variables. You had to weigh and maybe people you
had to talk to, uh, walk me through the decision
making that led you to choosing to return to UC.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I mean, this is in the everlasting, you know change
in college football. This is there's so much change, and
there was no doubt in my mind that this is
where I wanted to be and when I chose here.
I committed here when I was a sophomore in high
school and I committed to play here for my entire
college career. I didn't commit to play here for you know,
four or five seasons. I committed if I'm going to
(01:34):
be in college football, this is where I'm going to be,
and it's close to family, and I believe a lot
in this coaching staff, and I love having coach Carlwoll
as a coach and having that opportunity to come back
and be a leader again for the not just the
whole team, but the offensive line in particular. With a
lot of new faces transfer wise, freshmen wise, a lot
(01:54):
of new guys will be playing next to me. But
I'm excited for the opportunity to come back here for
my some final season.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Yeah, it's it's a lot different from last year where
we were talking about you know, everybody on the offensive
line coming back and this team benefiting from that continuity,
and now there's a lot of different moving parts. Is
that what's most different about this offseason compared to some
of the previous ones.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, I would say so. I mean, I love the
guy that this this program has brought in, and this
coaching staff has brought into this program. And you know,
the offensive line wise, it's gonna be me and four
new guys out there. Really, well, three new guys out there.
Dion's back too, and and Deon's done a really good
job developing these last couple of years, and I think
(02:40):
he's gonna have the best season yet this season. And
then there's three new guys that have played a lot
of ball. You know tarn Tios from Ball State. Got
to meet him during the recruiting process. A great family,
a really good football player. He'll be a really good
football player for us. And uh, you know, I took
that weight and to get kind of on the chain
that I need to lead these guys no matter who's
(03:02):
out there with me, that it's my responsibility make sure
they're all going in the right direction, and I'll make
sure that happens.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
It seems to a degree.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And I remember two years ago when Luke Candrew came
from Louisville to Cincinnati having been with the previous coaching
staff at Louisville. He was so helpful and just teaching
you guys the terminology and some of the stuff you
had to know. On a more mechanic level, I would
imagine you were doing some of the same sort of stuff.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yes, for sure, definitely what Candre brought to the team
when he came here. You know, obviously the coaches do
a great job of getting us the game plans and
telling us how to run the plays and exactly what
we're supposed to execute, But some of it comes with
just being a kind of a savvy football player, known
the terminology, knowing that regardless of what look the defense
throws at us, because there's always new looks every week
(03:49):
that you know, it's going to be a different call
here and there that maybe we didn't talk about in
the meeting, because you know, they could just throw whatever
out there on us on Saturday, it doesn't matter. So
having him to help me the last two seasons really
gain all the information that he had learned the first
three seasons when he was at Louisville coach sat in them.
I think will be real helpful for me to pass
that on as I as I, you know, enter my
(04:11):
final season here.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
What is it going to be like for you this
year having the same quarterback as last season.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
I mean, it's gonna be really good. I haven't had
necessarily the same guy behind me since I've switched, you know,
transition to center with my after my second year. When
I first got here, it's been a different guy. I
would think every time I look back, if somebody knew
that was calling the plays rather that was in a
game or you know, during practice, it didn't matter. But
(04:40):
Sworersby's done a great job. He's taken a lot of
a lot of steps when it comes to leadership and
everything that we need. You know, other guys besides myself
and Dante that have established that in this culture and
this this team. But he's done a great job so far,
and I'm excited for this season.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Well, and I've got to ask about Dante and you
and I have talked about your your practice battles in
the past. I've got to think by the time you
get to the end of this season, you might already
be there now with the amount of time you have
spent practicing against each other, that you guys are like
an old married couple by.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Now, Yeah, you could say that that's for sure. I
mean he's been here for five and I've been here
for six, and we've gone at it regardless of what
year was. It's I'm seeing him every day in practice
getting his best, He's getting my best, and he brought
the best out of me. There's no doubt that having
a guy like that to push you every day and
(05:33):
give you the best look possible. I mean, he in
all honestly gives me better looks and I get in
the game. When I got there for a game, it's
nobody that's as strong as him and as low as
him and everything that he brings to the table. But
he has definitely helped me elevate my game. I'm real
thankful that he's back here for a final season.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
When you think of last season, and there was a
stretch where you guys are sitting there at five and
two and we're talking about, you know, the Bearcats being
a factor in the Big twelve rate, and then the
way the rest of the season unfolded. Uh, nobody liked
it and and offensively, it felt like a lot of
the things that kind of came easier to you early
in the season obviously not so much in the second
(06:12):
half of the season. What what sort of things come
to mind when you think of how last season from
an offensive perspective, how last season ended.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I think we started to maybe lose a little confidence
in ourselves. And I've had a lot of conversations with
the coaches and Sowresby, and you know, you make some
mental mistakes and you kind of get to yourself and
then you kind of lose that rhythm of what you're
in already. And I mean as the season progressed, we
we were doing the same things and practice and whatnot
(06:40):
and going about and the culture has changed so much
from you know, coach sat and there their first season
here and that that definitely wasn't an issue by any means.
I think that was our issue two seasons ago, and
hoping we admit that, and you know, we took that
to heart a lot of the leaders that that wasn't
going to be the case this year, and we started
really strong. We just got to figure out a way
to finished some of the close games. It's and when
(07:03):
you break down the film, it really is a couple
of plays here and there that I'm confident that we
really could have played for a big twelve championship if
we would have done the right things in the right time.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Gavin Garrethart is with us returning to the University of
Cincinnati for a six season, have you even thought about
what a sixth season of college football? A sixth season
is a college A six year as a college student
is going to be?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Like, No, I mean it started to thinking a little bit.
You know, when I was a young guy, I never
really thought I would have I knew that, you know,
because my freshman season was COVID years. I knew I
had that other year in the second season, I played
in four so I was able to redshirt. But I
didn't necessarily think I was going to be here for
for six seasons. It's definitely taking a little too toll
(07:48):
on the body, definitely doing a lot more treatment than
I was this first couple of years and getting my
body doing right. It's even the little stuff that, oh,
that doesn't feel so good when I'm doing stuff out
on the field, but you know, I'm willing to push
through it, to sacrifice whatever I can to help this
team win.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I will.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
I will admit to you that I know very little
about professional wrestling, but I know on social media everybody
was excited that you guys were at RAW the other night.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Are you a huge wrestling fan?
Speaker 2 (08:16):
I grew up. I grew up a big wrestling fan.
My brother is a huge wrestling fan. I know Sorgsby
and Dante are huge wrestling fans. I think that was
gold Ay and myself and Joe's really first event. Besides,
I took my brother and Sorgsby and Dante as we
went to Roll Rumble about a month ago. Wow. Yeah,
they're big into it. And I know that. You know,
(08:39):
Sorsby's been a lifelong fan, and it gives me joy
to be able to do stuff like that with the guys,
and especially with my brother, even though I'm there with
my teammates. Knowing that I can, you know, have him
come along and something he really enjoys brings a lot
of joy in my heart.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
All right, Well, it looks it looks like fun. I'd
be blind you if I told you. I watch a
lot of prof and wrestling, but from what I saw,
looks like you guys were having a having a great time, Enjoy,
enjoy the offseason and spring balls coming up, and hopefully
we can chat as the season unfolds in twenty twenty five.
Glad you're back at UC and looking forward to a
(09:16):
much better twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Thank you so much, Gavin, appreciate thank you for having
me on.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
You got it, You got it, Gavin Gerhart, coming back
for his sixth season at the University of Cincinnati. Gavin
and his teammates will play seven home games this year.
Seven home games this year. I said, you can. What
are your tickets now for the entire twenty twenty five
season at Go Bearcats dot com.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Seven home games.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
At Knippert Stadium this year, sixteen away from five o'clock,
by the way in Arizona. Today, Matt McClain has homered.
He's also doubled twice. Christian and Karnassi on Strand has
homered and the Reds are beating the Angels by a score.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Of a five to one. How about that. I'm a
clinic Christian, a Kernassian Straan. Two guys.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Obviously, Matt didn't play at all Christian at Karnassian straanm
barely played both providing some encouragement if you will, some production,
some pop with the bat against the angels. We are
excited today because we got Skyline. The Skyway is back
at Skyline for two weeks only between now in March
March ninth. This is cool you get when you go
(10:28):
to Skyline. Fifty percent extra cheese at no extra charge
on your regular or Large way, three, four.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Or five way. I love three ways at Skyline.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
I'm in middlely, mostly a cheese coney guy, but I
do love to change things up. Get a three way
and then you add even more cheese. I mean, come on,
this is a dream come true for Skyline cheese lovers.
They're only available at participating Skyline locations through March ninth,
so you have I guess about a week and a
half or so, so take advantage of this.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
This Skyway is back, only.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Available at participating locations on regular and large ways only.
And don't forget tomorrow National Chili Day. No better way
to celebrate than with a Skyway at Skyline. It's quarter
to five, five, one, three, seven, four, nine fifteen thirty.
Paul Danner Junior from The Combine coming up in ten
(11:22):
minutes on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty traffic from.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
The UC Health Traffic Center. Around forty percent of cancers
are preventable. Lifestyle changes in screenings can make a difference.
Call five one three five eighty five UCCC eastbound two
seventy five, year seventy one. It's an accident on the
left shoulder on southbound seventy one. Accident on the right shoulder,
that one over near Taft Road and westbound seventy four.
(11:52):
It's an accident on the exit ramp to Montana Avenue.
Police there on the scene. I'm at Ezelek with traffic.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Report is sponsored
Mo Egger News
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