The Bearcats filled one of their few remaining preferred walk-on slots when Devin Bruns decided to commit to Butch Jones and his staff on Saturday morning. After a family member contacted Bearcat Lair with the information, we called the newest Bearcat to get the specifics.

“It really started on Thursday when my mom and little brother came to my school during lunch. I saw them coming and thought what could I have done?” chuckled Bruns. “We sat down and talked about how much school would cost. We thought if I did well maybe I could get an academic scholarship after two years so I thought about it on Thursday and Friday and told her I was ready to sign with UC.”

The following morning Bruns took his entire family to the Lindner Buidling to inform Coach Jones of his decision.

“Basically, I brought a little tribe to the coaches’ offices on Saturday morning and told the coaches there would be only one reason why I’d bring my whole family there, and I signed the paper in Coach Jones’ office.”

The “paper” was a contract binding Bruns to all the team’s rules and regulations.

In order to save money, Bruns will not be living in a campus dormitory. He will continue to live at his Ft. Thomas home with his parents.

In the end, Bruns chose the Bearcats over Wittenberg University (OH) and Georgetown College (KY) although at one time he also had an offer from Eastern Kentucky University.

“EKU was in there at one point, but they called me one day and said they’d like to take their offer back,” he said. “They were basically saying I shouldn’t commit to them because they had a commitment from another linebacker.”

Bruns played on the defensive line at state champion Highlands High School and was extremely disruptive, but he’ll be moving to linebacker in college.

“I’m getting close to 6-foot-2 right now, and my weight is up to 225 and pushing 230.”

Devin Bruns will be joining his twin brother Drake, who signed a letter of intent with the Bearcats on February 1.

The plan is for Devin to enroll in June so he can begin working out with the other members of the 2012 Cincinnati football squad.