The summer is supposed to be the calm before the college football season begins. With recruiting news continuing to develop daily, the on-field matters haven't become an issue for most. Unfortunately, Cincinnati All-American Dontay Corleone will be out indefinitely after receiving a diagnosis of blood clots.
What does it mean for Corleone? Let's dive into the potential ramifications.
Dontay Corleone Diagnosed With Blood Clots
On Friday, the Cincinnati Bearcats announced in a statement that Corleone would be "out indefinitely" with a non-football illness.
"Corleone will miss football activities for an undetermined period of time while he is treated for blood clots found in his lungs, discovered after he reported chest discomfort and shortness of breath to the Cincinnati athletic trainers.
A team, led by senior associate athletic director for sports medicine Aaron Himmler and head team physician Dr. Jon Divine, worked closely with physicians and specialists at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on diagnosis and initial treatment."
Corleone said: "I am incredibly grateful to my family and for Aaron Himmler, Dr. Jon Divine, our whole medical staff and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for guiding me through this over the last few weeks. Right now, I'm focused on my recovery. My hope is I will be able to return to football soon, but in the meantime, I will do everything I can to rehab and help the football program as a leader and mentor to our younger players. I'm looking forward to being around the guys soon. The sky is the limit for the Bearcats this season. I love my teammates, our coaches, this university, this city, and – of course – this fanbase, which has been incredibly supportive of me over the last three years."
Will Dontay Corleone Play in 2024?
The hope is for Corleone to play in 2024. He passed on entering the 2024 NFL Draft as just a third-year sophomore. After earning All-American status in 2023, totaling 39 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble, Corleone proved to be a massive nose tackle presence in his second year on the field.
The good news for Corleone is that some recent examples of blood clots and heart-related issues are not ending careers. For example, former Tennessee Volunteers and current Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith has not missed time in the NFL despite dealing with the same ailment. Bronny James was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers less than a year after he suffered cardiac arrest.
Dontay Corleone NFL Draft Outlook
Projected to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in this last class, it's safe to say that Corleone will be a substantial NFL draft prospect if he's healthy. He first popped off my screen when watching Jowonn Briggs and Ivan Pace Jr. Cincinnati would be devastated to lose the anchor of their defense.
'The Godfather' stands 6-foot-2, 318 pounds, and is a local product for the Bearcats program. The run-stuffing nose tackle plays well behind his size and weight, often drawing double teams and boasting impressive speed for the position.
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