Bonner Seeing and Feeling S&C Results

Senior defensive end Jonathan Bonner is hoping to improve on his two solo tackles that he recorded last year. Part of this improvement is getting bigger, stronger, and more flexible. He was quick to talk about his increase in flexibility, as head coach Brian Kelly stated earlier in the day.

“I definitely benefit from strength training,” said Bonner. “It was a little uncomfortable when I gained the weight at first, but it helped that I gained it over time which allowed me to gradually adjust to it. I can play how I want to play.”

These added skills have allowed Bonner to focus on putting last season behind him and the whole team. It appears that the staff has done a much better job this year of setting goals and expectations for the entire team.

“I think it’s the goals and expectations they set for us,” commented Bonner. “The defensive line doesn’t want to be looked down on; we want to be looked forward to. We know everything starts with the defensive line, so we need to step up and I think that everyone has accepted that challenge and wants to be able to be counted on.”

While the new goals and expectations will hopefully help the defensive line and the whole team, some people said that a coaching change at defensive line could cause problems. Bonner was quick to dismiss these notions.

“It’s been a smooth coaching change,” Bonner insisted. “When I came in, I had [Coach Mike Elston] as a coach for defensive line and then he moved to LBs. I had a relationship with him previously, and that helped me get back into it, I really like his coaching style. He coaches hard, He really gets after us, but I know that everything he’s doing, he has a way of doing it. When you listen to him and stay open to what he’s saying, it’s a good thing.”

Sophomore defensive end Daelin Hayes was also quick to comment on Elston’s energy and effectiveness as a coach showing that the defensive line players are clearly very happy with the coaching change. Bonner also talked about the change in the camaraderie of the defensive line group.

“I think it has gotten much stronger, and everyone is coming together. We are learning to count on each other and know that everyone is working hard,” explained Bonner. “We all know that as a defensive line we want to get better.”

In years past, the team has been missing the quality of grit. Competition in practice has helped the team develop a grittiness, and Bonner talked about his competition with Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey.

“Everyday they make me better, him and McGlinchey. It’s a fun competition, really in pash rushes is where we really get after it,” said Bonner. “We have been going back and forth, wins and losses, and we get in the film room and ask, 'Hey what did you do that time?'”

But Bonner is also focused on the future of the program and had positive comments to say about the freshman defensive lineman.

“The freshman have impressed me with their willingness to learn and get better every day,” said Bonner. “Whether they plan on playing or redshirting this season, they all really want to learn, and I can see the future is going to be great."