Bill Poland (Elder) and Jon Newton (Roger Bacon), two of Cincinnati's top senior football prospects, have given oral commitments to the University of Cincinnati.

        Poland (6-4, 190 pounds) is rated the No. 1 wide receiver in Cincinnati prep football by Ohio's Future Stars recruiting magazine. Newton (6-3, 275), a defensive tackle, was a Division II second team all-state choice in 2001.

        Poland drew interest from Tennessee and Miami University. Newton also was considering Miami, plus Minnesota.

        “UC is really working this area hard,” Elder coach Doug Ramsey said Tuesday. “It's totally different than it sometimes has been. They're putting a big emphasis on Cincinnati players.”

        The Bearcats have landed several top local players in recent years, including quarterback Gino Guidugli (Highlands), defensive lineman Antwan Peek (Woodward), safety Doug Monaghan (Colerain) and wide receiver Charlie Vample (Reading).

        Ramsey and Roger Bacon coach Dan Starkey confirmed the commitments by their players. UC, under NCAA rules, cannot comment on prospective recruits before the annual signing date in February.

        Poland caught 38 passes for an 18.4-yard average and five touchdowns last season for Elder, which reached the DivisionI regional final.

        Newton, who also plays fullback, was a key reserve on Roger Bacon's Division II state championship basketball team last season.

UC lands 2 top GCL commitments

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