'Wouldn't trade it for anything': Shane Bonner thrived for OU football; now he wants more

ATHENS — Shane Bonner ended his football career at Ohio University with a flourish, recording a tackle-for-loss in the Bobcats' 41-21 Myrtle Beach Bowl win against Georgia Southern.

Statistically, it was a blip on the screen on a day in which the defense forced five turnovers and dominated for much of the game.

But given Bonner's path — it took five years to earn a scholarship as a former walk-on — it was a noteworthy end to an enjoyable final season as a grad student.

The 6-foot, 220-pound Bonner, a pre-med major with a degree in biological science, made the most of his final season on the banks of the Hocking River.

He earned a scholarship after making a position change from running back to safety in the spring of 2022, doing so at the urging of the coaching staff. He starred at running back and linebacker under coach Matt Edwards at John Glenn.

"They moved me to linebacker and found out I was aggressive," Bonner said. "Coach (Spence) Nowinski liked how I played the game. I was down (on defense) for a couple of weeks in fall camp, and Coach (Tim) Albin came up to me and said, 'We really think you can help us on defense.' Then I got put on scholarship."

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The rest was history.

A "super excited" Bonner's first move was to call his father to inform him of being put on scholarship. Given he was once cut as walk-on, largely due to his class schedule, and being forced to try out a second time post-COVID, it was a landmark moment.

"We've been talking about it since high school," Bonner said. "It was all on the path I was trying to take. To finally get there was a great feeling, and I couldn't wait to tell him."

A 'Jack' of all trades

Edwards felt Bonner was a fringe scholarship player after a senior season in which he had 1,400 yards rushing, led an explosive offense in catches and was a force at outside linebacker.

"He just lacked that top end speed," Edwards said.

But he also possessed an unquenchable work ethic, especially a thirst for the weight room. That combination allowed him to pack on some 40 pounds in his career as a Bobcat.

It also helped him thrive in a niche role in Nowinski's scheme.

Bonner took to the "Jack" position — a hybrid end/outside linebacker role — like a deer to a wooded ravine.

He had two sacks in the 2022 Arizona Bowl against Wyoming, then emerged as the starter for the 2023 opener against San Diego State. He moved into a backup role when Hilliard Darby grad Bradley Weaver, one of the team's top players, returned as starter. But he still was used as a situational rusher and started at the opposite end in the final three games of the regular season.

The highlight of the regular season was a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of a 34-20 home win against Central Michigan, a game in which he also had a season-high four tackles.

He added a tackle-for-loss in the bowl game, where he and Sheridan grad Shay Taylor were both starters on defense. The Bobcats forced five turnovers and allowed only 21 yards rushing.

"That was definitely a great play and a great feeling," Bonner said of the interception return. "I'd been preparing for it, practicing catches every day, and I knew I could run with its since I was a running back before."

Still eyeing more

Bonner hopes that athleticism pays off at his pro day on March 21. He has spent his time since returning from the bowl game training in Columbus with former Ohio State Director of Strength and Conditioning Eric Lichter at Plus 2 University.

Plus 2 specializes in enhancing speed and physical performance. Bonner said there is chance of playing Jack at the professional level, since most players at that position are in the 280-pound range.

He does feel he can make a smooth switch to defensive back, however.

"I've set (personal records) in everything so far, and I will let that speak for itself at pro day," Bonner said. "Eric runs a really good program."

Bonner's college journey was unconventional and often challenging, but he emerged from his six years in Athens with a degree, a story of determination and plenty of quality life experience.

An MBA could be in his future, but he wants to give pro football a fair shot before returning for more schooling. He is confident he can match many of the measurables required to play at the highest levels.

"It was definitely challenging," Bonner said. "It was really hard at first, because I wasn't used to studying that much. In college you want to be social and make friends, because there is a lot of stuff going on.

"As I got older I realized that you have to put in the time," Bonner added. "Socially I (sacrificed) to focus on what I needed to do. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It taught me a lot of resilience. My dad made me believe in myself."

'Man child' a self-made success story

Edwards said Bonner's work ethic, particularly in the weight room, was unparalleled during his time as a Muskie.

That transitioned into his days as a Bobcat, where the changed physique enabled him to change positions. Edwards called him "an absolute man child now."

"I have never met a kid who was more of a hard worker than Shane was," Edwards said. "For four years, no one outworked him. He was the guy in the weight room we had to kick out, and on the field he was always the guy staying after practice wanting to do more."

His story is one that should inspire other players, Edwards said. In a region that produces precious few Division I recruits, Bonner and Taylor showed that it's possible.

"Shane definitely shows that some of our (local) guys, if you're lacking something, that with a little hard work and perseverance you can give yourself a chance," Edwards said. "He was a kid who wanted more, and more and more. A lot of kids are afraid of hard work. He definitely isn't one of them."

sblackbu@gannett.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: His football journey at Ohio University over, Shane Bonner eyeing more