Sports

Jonathan Bonner Talks Notre Dame Football Commitment

The Parkway Central defensive lineman chose the Fighting Irish over more than a dozen other schools.

Written by Patch Editor Gregg Palermo

Other schools may still try to sway him, but it sounds like a Parkway Central senior defensive standout is all but signed, sealed and ready to continue his college career in South Bend, Indiana.

Jonathan Bonner, a two-way player for the Colts who stars at Tight End and Defensive End at Parkway Central, made a verbal commitment to play for Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2014. Bonner told Patch he's projected to play outside linebacker at the college level.

Athletes can't make the decision official until February. Bonner had 15 scholarship offers according to Rivals.com and chose the Fighting Irish over Missouri, Illinois, Michigan State and others.

In addition to attending college camps this summer, Bonner was selected by the St. Louis Rams to participate in the NFL High School Development program's 7 on 7 National competition.

Bonner attended the national competition's lineman development program last year, but team organizers, impressed by his offensive skills again this year, selected him for the squad.

Bonner's verbal pledge won't necessarily scare other schools away from trying to sway his decision, but it sounds like those efforts would be in vain.

"I love the school, it’s a great place, great academics alongside their great football program, so I don’t think I could have found a better school to go to," Bonner told Patch. "I couldn’t find any flaws with Notre Dame. The other schools, they’re all great but Notre Dame is just one step ahead for me."

Bonner's attention this fall will be on playing out his senior season in search of a state championship at Parkway Central. Bonner joins fellow Division I pledge Linebacker Trey Knes, who plans to attend Miami (OH), and QB Zack Lazenby as senior leaders for the Colts.


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