We’ve talked before about Bonner’s abilities on offense, but haven’t really evaluated him publicly as a defensive prospect. His versatility shines on that side of the ball too as he’s comfortable in the box, in bump-and-run coverage, or as a single-high safety. He’s at his best in space when he’s matching receivers and we think his highest upside is at corner.

Bonner was a guy who hit my radar during my deep dives series for Orange County. The question then was whether he’d make the list as a running back or receiver, because he does both well from a variety of alignments. He plays in a slotback role in the Wing T but has plenty of experience actually going out in pass patterns and making big plays. I like the ability to make people miss in the open field.

Bonner isn’t a true receiver — no one in in Hillside’s Wing T — but he has high-level receiving skills. He’s a do-it-all slotback who only got about 20 offensive touches last season. However, he scored four times, and in three different ways, hauling in two receiving touchdowns on his four catches, scoring as a runner, and returning a kickoff to the house. In a different offense, he’d be a 50-catch guy. For Hillside, he’s a high-upside athlete who could fill the void left by a strong senior class.