Top Cincinnati Defender Antwan Peek Jr. 'Loving' Position Change as 2026 Spring Football Continues

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bearcats on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 2:49 PM ET

Antwan Peek Jr. was one of the Bearcats' best defenders last season, and he's going through a slight position change this offseason. The redshirt senior safety is moving closer to the line of scrimmage in an outside linebacker role after lighting up the Big 12 on the back end last season.

Peek posted the Big 12's best 2025 safety grade on Pro Football Focus (85 overall) and finished top-five on the team with 59 tackles to pair with two forced fumbles and a sack. That last figure could go up in a big way playing this new position.

A New Role

"In the last defense I was playing (the) Star (position)," Peek told me. "And this defense is pretty similar to the star, except the only difference is how close to the box (I am). I actually really like that. It's kind of like more so a linebacker, coach (Nate) Woody likes to call it an outside linebacker, but most people nowadays call it a nickel, more of a DB, but I do like being called an outside linebacker by coach Woody, a little bit of a bigger body, but I'm loving it so far."

Peek Jr. is getting even more attention on his game now (if that's possible) from Peek Sr.

The former UC legend played in the same area of the field as an edge rusher for the Bearcats from 1998-2002. He is UC's all-time leader in sacks (27.0), tackles for loss (56), forced fumbles (17), and blocked kicks (7). Peek went on to play in 65 NFL games from 2003 to 2007.

It's a really cool family bonding spring for those two.

"Being able to play the position that he was playing, I can get a whole lot of tips and pointers from him," Peek said. "Especially since I'm going to be able to blitz off the edge, you know, just getting more tips on how to beat a tackle or tight end with speed, and not only with speed, but with power as well. So he's been helping me a lot with my technique and learning a whole lot of new moves."

The father and son were actively working on that craft following Tuesday's practice.

Check out the full conversation with Peek below: