'14 MO DE Jonathan Bonner (Notre Dame Signee)

[RDU Irish]

Okwara was one of the top 'weight gainers' this offseason - Physical development key to Irish offseason | Inside the Irish

This article says he's 250, up from 231. I think the point is, the staff is going to do work with these kids, whether that's bulking them up (KLM) or maintaining their weight (+/- 15-20lbs) while transforming their body (Romeo).

Romeo Okwara — 250 (+19) Your leading candidate for “Scariest 17-year-old linebacker on the planet.”

Nice funny, Keith.

Congrats to Jonathan - Looks like a great pick up for ND, add some lifelong love of the school to the class. Coming in under the radar with a chip on his shoulder, I like his odds of being a major contributor down the road.

 

[dublinirish]

Bonner's commitment reminds me alot of John Turner's from last year. Unheralded and underrated ND lifelong fan with little fanfare, but came to ND camp, the coaches asked him to demonstrate his skills and athleticism, earned an offer, committed instantly.

Like Turner it might take until his upperclassman years for him to contribute but hes a solid building block with versatility to play multiple positions

 

[Cali_domer]

cleats?

 

[greyhammer90]

cleats?

Ah the ole' irishenvy switcharoo

 

[OCIrish]

I haven't watched his film yet, as most films are usually filled with highlights of his plays.......that being said, he came to camp, did well, and the coaches obviously liked what they saw and offered the young man.......he's a lifelong ND fan, who wants to be in South Bend, I've got no problem with him being Irish!!! Looking forward to what his career will bring for Irish fans!!!!

 

[Fbolt]

I haven't watched his film yet, as most films are usually filled with highlights of his plays......

 

[Cali_domer]

Some recruits put in their low-lights just to keep it real

 

[Bogtrotter07]

What he obviously meant to say was "you don't get to see the players overall body of works, so you don't get to see an 'average play' on a highlight reel."

Fbolt come over here to camera three. (Dude what is with the psychological warfare. It is getting me dizzy. First with an attractive mouth, then a hideous one, first male, then female, throw a beautiful blood sucker in there. I can't take it anymore!"

 

[Fbolt]

Sometimes italics are overkill.

btw-it has always been the same mouth, just different teeth.

 

[Cali_domer]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T229LehCD5U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recruit keeping it real.

 

[Luckylucci]

I have been on the BGI and II boards for the last day following this same story and there has been a lot freaking out about his commitment in a very unbecoming fashion. So, I wanted to give a S/O to all IE members because once again this was a situation that was handle substantially better here than at other places.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I for one am very impressed with his tape. Could easily be a 4* IMO. Great closing speed, should be a great edge rusher. He'll need to bulk up significantly to 2-gap, but then so do most high school players.

Considering how we haven't filled up all 85 scholarships in the past few years and had many a defection, adding to depth with someone who can both contribute and be a solid contributor is often a good idea.

 

[NDPhilly]

I have been on the BGI and II boards for the last day following this same story and there has been a lot freaking out about his commitment in a very unbecoming fashion. So, I wanted to give a S/O to all IE members because once again this was a situation that was handle substantially better here than at other places.

IE is usually pretty good with this type of stuff. We're battle tested to say the least.

 

[OCIrish]

Thanks, Bogs......maybe I should've been more succinct in my explanation......I know what a highlight film is and what its sole purpose is used for.....but you cannot in anyway shape or form judge a kid based on his highlights...... just pointing out somewhat of what Lucky said about other boards reactions......there seems to be quite a bit of butt hurt over on II about accepting his commitment right now......if the staff likes him, then I've got no complaints!!!

 

[OCIrish]

I have been on the BGI and II boards for the last day following this same story and there has been a lot freaking out about his commitment in a very unbecoming fashion. So, I wanted to give a S/O to all IE members because once again this was a situation that was handle substantially better here than at other places.

Reps, Lucky......reps!!!!!

 

[aubeirish]

Bonner's commitment reminds me alot of John Turner's from last year. Unheralded and underrated ND lifelong fan with little fanfare, but came to ND camp, the coaches asked him to demonstrate his skills and athleticism, earned an offer, committed instantly.

Like Turner it might take until his upperclassman years for him to contribute but hes a solid building block with versatility to play multiple positions

As far as getting an offer at camp it does relate. I don't think that Turner was as dominant as Bonner was during camp. From the information that we have, Bonner dominated every O-line in the camp ( Bars, Byrne, Nelson, Hoge, Tillery, Fruhmorgen == Very Elite group). He also excelled in coverage and has great physical tools.
The situation of the team is also different. We weren't getting this many looks from top talent at the time and we had a great need of depth for the secondary.

Hopefully, Turner will become an excellent contributor down the road.

I just think that with Bonner, the staff must feel that they have found a diamond in the rough.

 

[Irishman77]

As far as getting an offer at camp it does relate. I don't think that Turner was as dominant as Bonner was during camp. From the information that we have, Bonner dominated every O-line in the camp ( Bars, Byrne, Nelson, Hoge, Tillery, Fruhmorgen == Very Elite group). He also excelled in coverage and has great physical tools.
The situation of the team is also different. We weren't getting this many looks from top talent at the time and we had a great need of depth for the secondary.

Hopefully, Turner will become an excellent contributor down the road.

I just think that with Bonner, the staff must feel that they have found a diamond in the rough.

Yep see post 86

 

[Redbar]

What a great story. A guy whose whole family loves Notre Dame. He comes to camp without much fanfare and is a stand out...gets an offer and accepts his dream offer instantly. Congratulations to Jonathan Bonner. His tape looks very good, the writes ups scream underrated talent, his actions say: Notre Dame man through and through.

Well put.

Congratulations to Jonathan and the entire Bonner Family, glad to have him on board and I expect big things from this young man in the coming years.

 

[arrowryan]

I have been on the BGI and II boards for the last day following this same story and there has been a lot freaking out about his commitment in a very unbecoming fashion. So, I wanted to give a S/O to all IE members because once again this was a situation that was handle substantially better here than at other places.

IE is usually pretty good with this type of stuff. We're battle tested to say the least.

Yeah the only time IE flips ****, the ban hammer comes out, and people just leave is when someone transfers or during an EV situation.

 

[TerryTate]

I like it. He reminds me of these two guys with his size and length:

Romeo Okwara:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OAHcT6WlPhc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ishaq Williams:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Esh3g27B_Xg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Booslum31]

I like it. He reminds me of these two guys with his size and length:

Romeo Okwara:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OAHcT6WlPhc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ishaq Williams:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Esh3g27B_Xg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks for putting both of these films in one spot. I love watching film. there is definitely some strong resemblances here. Thanks again.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Anybody showing any displeasure about this kid - or any kid - committing to the football program they root for should be embarrassed. Congrats to Jonathan and the entire Bonner family. Its always nice to pick up a commitment, and it is even nicer when it is a kid realizing a dream.

 

[koonja]

Anybody showing any displeasure about this kid - or any kid - committing to the football program they root for should be embarrassed. Congrats to Jonathan and the entire Bonner family. Its always nice to pick up a commitment, and it is even nicer when it is a kid realizing a dream.

False.

So every fan of every college football team has to be excited about every recruit that ever goes through their school? Ludicrous.

Posting publicly negative comments is one thing, but not being happy with every recruit is just unreasonable.

 

[Irish To The Core]

I agree that it is utterly foolish to criticize the staff for accepting this young man's commitment. Did these "critics" understand that Bonner came into the camp, knowing full well that the pressure was on to shine if he was going to secure his dream commitment and then he preceded to dominate against 4 and 5 star OL talent? He played in front of all of the staff's decision makers and they said: "Yes, you are our guy." It just baffles me how some guys get so caught up on the stars. This kid is from the "Show Me State" and did he ever show the ND staff something.

We ought to be thanking our lucky stars that our staff had the chance to evaluate him first hand this early in the process, because he is not going to remain an under the radar 3* for long. AND he is in love with Notre Dame. No...he is in LOVE with Notre Dame. How can any real Notre Dame fan not love this story?...He is all of us...with the talent to play at our favorite school.

Mark my words, this kid is going to tear it up during his senior year and all of the "big-boys" are going to be begging him to consider their offers. This young man is ND all the way and I can't wait to cheer his first sack when it comes!

 

[Rhode Irish]

False.

So every fan of every college football team has to be excited about every recruit that ever goes through their school? Ludicrous.

Posting publicly negative comments is one thing, but not being happy with every recruit is just unreasonable.

I disagree. You don't know anything about football or recruiting. You are not even entitled to an opinion because you know so little. (Not just you, but everyone here and on every other college football board.) So you (or anyone else) expressing disappointment with a commitment is just an ******* with an arbitrary opinion.

You don't have to be excited, but it really isn't your place to have an opinion. It is the coaches' job to bring players to the school and your job to root for them once they get here.

 

[koonja]

I disagree. You don't know anything about football or recruiting. You are not even entitled to an opinion because you know so little. (Not just you, but everyone here and on every other college football board.) So you (or anyone else) expressing disappointment with a commitment is just an ******* with an arbitrary opinion.

You don't have to be excited, but it really isn't your place to have an opinion. It is the coaches' job to bring players to the school and your job to root for them once they get here.

I understand that once they're here, you root for them. But as a fan, it's totally fine with being disappointment in landing said-recruit, because it can be a direct indication of how where the program is headed, recruiting wise.

If ND lands a 2-star QB with 3 offers for the next 3 years, and my friends ask me what I think, I'm not going to be like "'meh', coaches got it". I'm going to tell them I don't like it at all.

I'm not saying it's OK to go on a message board or anywhere else and talk bad about a recruit. But to be disappointed in one committing? Nothing wrong with that.

 

[koonja]

I agree that it is utterly foolish to criticize the staff for accepting this young man's commitment. Did these "critics" understand that Bonner came into the camp, knowing full well that the pressure was on to shine if he was going to secure his dream commitment and then he preceded to dominate against 4 and 5 star OL talent? He played in front of all of the staff's decision makers and they said: "Yes, you are our guy." It just baffles me how some guys get so caught up on the stars. This kid is from the "Show Me State" and did he ever show the ND staff something.

We ought to be thanking our lucky stars that our staff had the chance to evaluate him first hand this early in the process, because he is not going to remain an under the radar 3* for long. AND he is in love with Notre Dame. No...he is in LOVE with Notre Dame. How can any real Notre Dame fan not love this story?...He is all of us...with the talent to play at our favorite school.

Mark my words, this kid is going to tear it up during his senior year and all of the "big-boys" are going to be begging him to consider their offers. This young man is ND all the way and I can't wait to cheer his first sack when it comes!

I don't think he'll get a 4th star based on watching his film. And this has nothing to do with stars; I think Bobby Okereke, fellow 3-star, is a stud.

 

[NDinFL]

I understand that once they're here, you root for them. But as a fan, it's totally fine with being disappointment in landing said-recruit, because it can be a direct indication of how where the program is headed, recruiting wise.

If ND lands a 2-star QB with 3 offers for the next 3 years, and my friends ask me what I think, I'm not going to be like "'meh', coaches got it". I'm going to tell them I don't like it at all.

I'm not saying it's OK to go on a message board or anywhere else and talk bad about a recruit. But to be disappointed in one committing? Nothing wrong with that.

Thing of it is, and many other members here will tell you this, a lot of recruits/players families come and check out this site.

So, in essence, keep the venom to a minimum, because you never know what guest you may rub the wrong way

 

[koonja]

Thing of it is, and many other members here will tell you this, a lot of recruits/players families come and check out this site.

So, in essence, keep the venom to a minimum, because you never know what guest you may rub the wrong way

I understand that and agree. But RhodeIrish didn't say 'on the internet'. He said 'show', and there's many ways to 'show' disappointment.

 

[NDinFL]

I understand that and agree. But RhodeIrish didn't say 'on the internet'. He said 'show', and there's many ways to 'show' disappointment.

So you need to be told to keep your "disappointment" to a minimum on a public Internet forum that is consistently perused by recruits' families and current players families?