'14 MO DE Jonathan Bonner (Notre Dame Signee)

[Bogtrotter07]

I wonder if people make the negative comments about a high school player after seeing one piece of tape, usually out of context, because they think it makes them look smarter? Or more discriminating?

 

[koonja]

I wonder if people make the negative comments about a high school player after seeing one piece of tape, usually out of context, because they think it makes them look smarter? Or more discriminating?

Were just talking football, film, and our opinions on said-athlete.

There's nothing to fight about here.

 

[BeauBenken]

He looks a lot thicker than I imagined. That's good.

I think what you guys see as lack of burst, I see as this kid trying to play sound football.

 

[ResLife Hero]

He looks a lot thicker than I imagined. That's good.

I think what you guys see as lack of burst, I see as this kid trying to play sound football.

I see the same thing. A lot of "freak athletes" take off after the QB every time, but end up having to chase down the RB from behind because they didn't contain their edge. Lynch did that a ton his freshman year. I was impressed with how many times Bonner was in front of the RB after having already pushed the OLineman off. He also seems to do a good job of wrapping up.

 

[NDdomer2]

I wonder if people make the negative comments about a high school player after seeing one piece of tape, usually out of context, because they think it makes them look smarter? Or more discriminating?

hard telling bogs. i kno nothing about cricket but sir don bradman was the worst.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

10 Questions with Jonathan Bonner | Irish Turning Point

 

[aubeirish]

The guys are bleeding blue and gold. I love it.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Good bump! Thanks again ITP! Best 10Q yet!

The guys are bleeding blue and gold. I love it.

There is only one other time I have seen this kind of Esprit de Corps, and gung ho attitude! Mother Green!

 

[Irish#1]

Thanks TP

 

[clashmore_mike]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoldenArmy14&src=hash">#GoldenArmy14</a> adds another weapon, Jonathan Bonner, from Michigan
Bio: <a href="http://t.co/B5xBfXmdTb">http://t.co/B5xBfXmdTb</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/statuses/431054815230054400">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[ulukinatme]

Bonner is good to go

 

[BeauBenken]

Too bad he is from Missouri...

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Excellent

 

[ulukinatme]

Cool story about Bonner from Elliot, just after his intro:

WatchND.tv

Sounds like a great kid

 

[STLDomer]

I'd put money on that Barton Simmons didn't even watch his film judging by his "evaluation".

 

[rtrn2glory]

Frank just really pumped him up UND

 

[ResLife Hero]

Irish A-to-Z: Jonathan Bonner | Inside the Irish

As the Irish look for a pass rush, one candidate might be coming to campus next month. St. Louis’ Jonathan Bonner, the city’s defensive player of the year, could be an immediate answer to one of Brian VanGorder’s questions.

At 6-foot-3, 245-pounds, Bonner might have been a question mark in Bob Diaco’s system, slotting in as a cat linebacker or as an undersized end. But in VanGorder’s defense, Bonner will be free to rush the passer, an edge player with a single goal: to wreak havoc in the backfield.

Let’s take a closer look at Jon Bonner:



JONATHAN BONNER
6’3″, 245 lbs.
Freshman



RECRUITING PROFILE

Bonner’s offer list isn’t elite, but as Notre Dame’s coaches pointed out when recapping the recruiting class, there wasn’t a coaching staff in college football that saw Bonner at their camp and didn’t offer him. That was certainly the case for Notre Dame, who had Bonner at their June summer camp. Bonner dominated every offensive line prospect in town and left with an offer.

It didn’t take long for Bonner to say yes, pledging to safeties coach Bob Elliott just days later, even with Missouri and Michigan State also offering. And Bonner only looks better now in VanGorder’s system than the 3-4, the type of refined edge player that might be able to contribute this season if needed.



FUTURE POTENTIAL

It’s looking more and more like the Irish found a late-bloomer in Bonner. A first-team All-Everything prospect in the state of Missouri, Bonner has a coach for a father and brings a passion to the game that’s quickly apparent when you watch his highlight tape.

At defensive end, the door is wide open for playmakers. And with the Irish coaching staff able to work eight hours a week with the roster come June, the staff will know very quickly if Bonner has what it takes to contribute.

Again, enthusiasm comes easy when it comes to incoming freshman. Finding the field is much harder. But Bonner brings a skill-set that’s needed and VanGorder has shown a willingness to embrace sub-packages and finding a way to have players take on complementary roles, something that didn’t necessarily happen with Bob Diaco.



CRYSTAL BALL

It’s not hard to see that I’m bullish on Bonner’s future. But that’s not to say that projecting a productive career is easy. Bonner isn’t a better prospect than Anthony Rabasa, who has yet to make an impact after being evaluated and recruited by Kelly and his coaching staff. He’s not the type of recruit that Kerry Neal was either, who came into South Bend with sky high expectations and left never tallying more than two sacks in a season.

But there’s reason to believe that Bonner can be a better player than both (though the jury is still technically out on Rabasa). Bonner is a player that seems to embrace the grind, and listening to Bob Elliott talk about Bonner is the type of testimonial that gets you excited about a football player.

At defensive end, there doesn’t seem to be much certainty behind Ishaq Williams and Romeo Okwara. Is Bonner more ready to play than Isaac Rochell or Jacob Matuska. We’ll see.

But after exploding onto the scene in his senior season, Bonner could continue that ascent during summer workouts and work his way into some sub-packages starting this fall.

 

[Ricochet]

At defensive end, there doesn’t seem to be much certainty behind Ishaq Williams and Romeo Okwara. Is Bonner more ready to play than Isaac Rochell or Jacob Matuska. We’ll see.

I don't get this at all. Bonner doesn't play the same position as them. If ND is going to more of a 4-3 defense then those to are without question DT's.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I don't get this at all. Bonner doesn't play the same position as them. If ND is going to more of a 4-3 defense then those to are without question DT's.

I don't get it either.

3-4 has: DE------NT------DE-----OLB (CAT)

My impression was:

3-4 DE = a jumbo 4-3 SDE or lanky 4-3 DT
3-4 NT = a squat, but heavier 4-3 DT
OLB/CAT = a smaller but faster 4-3 WDE-- i.e., a rush end who could drop in space every once in a while

So I figured:

our 3-4 DEs would either (1) lose a little weight and become SDEs or (2) gain a little weight and become 4-3 DTs.
our CATs would bulk up and become WDEs

Why our 3-4 DEs would become WDEs (rush ends) is beyond me?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I don't get it either.

3-4 has: DE------NT------DE-----OLB (CAT)

My impression was:

3-4 DE = a jumbo 4-3 SDE or lanky 4-3 DT
3-4 NT = a squat, but heavier 4-3 DT
OLB/CAT = a smaller but faster 4-3 WDE-- i.e., a rush end who could drop in space every once in a while

So I figured:

our 3-4 DEs would either (1) lose a little weight and become SDEs or (2) gain a little weight and become 4-3 DTs.
our CATs would bulk up and become WDEs

Why our 3-4 DEs would become WDEs (rush ends) is beyond me?

This was a really good question. The only thing I can think of is that in camp last summer, JB not only beat every OL there into the ground, but he showed incredible potential as an edge rusher. I mean devastating.

In that case BVG with different packages would put JB in as a freshman, here, in one position on the field and say go get the quarterback. He probably would have a DB rushing off the ass cheek of a lineman on the other side hidden, so the running back would whiff on the block of whomever he saw.

 

[Wild Bill]

I don't get this at all. Bonner doesn't play the same position as them. If ND is going to more of a 4-3 defense then those to are without question DT's.

I don't think it's without question Rochelle is a defensive tackle in a 4-3. He was decent last year at D-end and I think he has the athleticism to play a 7 tech or 9 tech. Has he gained a lot of weight over the off season?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I don't think it's without question Rochelle is a defensive tackle in a 4-3. He was decent last year at D-end and I think he has the athleticism to play a 7 tech or 9 tech. Has he gained a lot of weight over the off season?

Agreed, sir! Wasn't he in the 280's? As you said, everything I heard also this spring showed him with the flexibility of playing outside, (first), but able to come down inside.

And everything I have read about BVG is this is what he loves to do on D. With the exception of the down lineman he uses to set the edge, almost all of his down linemen move all around. So there is another possible piece.

 

[Big23Head]

I knew Bonner loved ND since he was younger. I though this was cool, an 8th grade letter to himself:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This letter from my 8th grade self shows that my life is headed in the right direction. I had high expectations too! <a href="http://t.co/0oafDRpHBn">pic.twitter.com/0oafDRpHBn</a></p>— Jonathan Bonner (@JBonezzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/JBonezzz/statuses/472509194470297600">May 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Hopefully you played hard enough to go off to Notre Dame.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Stay away from knuckleheads (words from Mom).

This kid is a priceless addition to the '14 class!

I can't wait to see him dominate the players across from him.

 

[Irish YJ]

I wish more kids would write letters to themselves. I love his frame of mind. Great kid, even if he never plays a down or records a sack.

 

[Irishman77]

Doesn't get much better than that! What a great kid! Can't wait to cheer him on every game day!

 

[ulukinatme]

Yeah, this kid is pretty awesome.

 

[Redbar]

This is exactly what Dave Casper meant, some people are just born to be Fighting Irish!

 

[irishff1014]

Good to see this young man has a good head on his shoulders.