Cincinnati star defensive lineman Dontay Corleone will miss time after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs, as relayed by the Associated Press.
Corleone is 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds and considered a bona fide NFL prospect. He is entering his junior season.
Per reports, Corleone was hospitalized on June 14 after complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath, the school said in a statement. There is no timetable for his return while he is at home recovering./
"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," Corleone said in a release from the school. "I'm looking forward to being around the guys soon."
Corleone is Cincinnati's best defensive player, accounting for 83 tackles, including 12 for a loss. He's appeared in 23 games and is considered a team leader.
It didn't help much for the once powerful Bearcats, who went 3-9 last season, its first as a member of the Big 12.
"We know he is going to do everything he can to pour into our program while he recovers and focuses on his health," Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said. "My top concern is for Dontay's health. Football isn't a priority right now."
Last season alone, Corleone compiled 39 tackles, 6.5 for a loss and three sacks as a redshirt sophomore.
"He was an instrumental part of Cincinnati's first conference win as a Big 12 program, logging four total tackles and one sack in a 24-14 triumph against Houston," wrote CBS Sports.
