Bonner Enjoying Using Two Hands This Fall

Notre Dame defensive lineman Jon Bonner knew there was something wrong with his wrist last year, but nothing showed up when he got it checked out. 

However, it was later discovered the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder had a broken wrist. Bonner played the entire year with the injury despite the severity of the situation.

“I was getting an X-ray on something else,” Bonner explained. “They happened to swipe down to see my wrist. They said ‘Your elbow is fine, but the wrist  you were telling us about, there’s an issue.’

“I lifted until I found out there was an actual issue. I was still out there doing all the lifts. I pretty much got to a point where I wasn’t catching hang cleans but was doing everything else.”

Bonner had surgery in the winter to correct the issue and feels like a completely different player coming out of training camp. 

“As a starter, it’s the healthiest I’ve been,” said Bonner. “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m the best I’ve been, and I’m able to use my hands now. I’m playing with a whole other appendage, and I get to see what it’s like playing with two hands on the field now.

“I have everything back to 100 percent.” 

While playing games with a broken wrist isn’t ideal, Bonner also had to practice against the two best offensive linemen in the country throughout the week. 

“It’s a struggle when you’re going against the best in the country every day, and you have a handicap,” stated Bonner. “I was working hard every day and wasn’t seeing the big improvements.

"Then I found out I literally couldn’t get better. I kept grinding it out, and it has ended up paying off. I’m at a point where I can really advance my game.

“It was a huge accomplishment going against Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey knowing I could compete against them. It was good knowing I could compete against them and I’m excited to see where it takes me in the future.”

Practicing against McGlinchey and Nelson with one hand sounds fun, right?

Bonner took the hard times and turned it into momentum heading into 2018 as he has use of an entire hand he didn’t have a year ago.

“It’s a huge boost of confidence,” Bonner said. “I didn’t have a starting role going into last season. When I really thought about things, I earned a starting role with one less hand than I thought I had.

“It’s a whole different scenario with another appendage to work with, so I can see what I could really do when I get my hands on people and shedding blockers.”

Good health isn’t the only change for Bonner this fall as he has moved from the 3-Tech to the 1-Tech. While it might not be seen as a significant change on the outside, Bonner has embraced the new role and has found a few areas where he can play to his strengths. 

“One thing I like is that it’s reactionary,” said Bonner. “Immediately off the snap, you’re on the center. I have my hands up real fast. The initial contact can be an advantage if you’re explosive.” 

Bonner arrived at Notre Dame as a linebacker and held offers to play tight end and admitted he didn’t see himself playing 1-Tech when he signed with the Irish.

“There was a little bit in me that wanted to play tight end, so I didn’t see this,” laughed Bonner.