Bonnafon Adapting to New Roles
March 29, 2016 | Football
Bonnafon taking on athlete role this season.
University of Louisville junior Reggie Bonnafon is becoming a jack-of-all-trades, and has emerged as a serious weapon in the Cardinals' offensive arsenal this season.
Starting his career at quarterback and leading the Cardinals in the season opener last season, Bonnafon took on a different role late in the season a year ago, but the coaching staff has expanded his duties this spring.
Just finishing the fifth practice of the spring, Bonnafon has lined up all over the field, and is starting to embrace his versatility. He has been seen catching the ball out of the backfield, lining up in the slot and wherever else head coach Bobby Petrino can find a way to utilize Bonnafon's freak athletic ability.
"So far it's been pretty fun," Bonnafon said. "It's going pretty well right now. It reminds me a lot of playing in little league growing up and they let me play multiple positions and having the freedom to do that. Conditioning has increased because of that, but so far, so good.
Last season after Lamar Jackson emerged at quarterback, Petrino knew he had to find a way to get Bonnafon on the field. Petrino, one of the best offensive masterminds in the country, developed packages to use Bonnafon's athletic abilities, but it looks like Bonnafon will be featured a lot more this season.
"I'm just getting better understanding the game of football," Bonnafon said. "With me playing multiple positions, I'm just a student of the game and I'm just trying to get a feel for the different type of defense. I'm just trying to become an expert in everything I'm doing."
Most players would resent their coach for moving him from the quarterback position, however, Bonnafon is the ultimate team player. He just wants to be a football and help his hometown team win a championship.
"I love football, not necessarily a position," Bonnafon said. "As long as I have the opportunity and I continue to be blessed to come out and play the game of football, I will be happy."
Bonnafon impressed the coaching staff this spring during the testing period before practice began in March. The Trinity High graduate leaped 43.5 in the vertical jump, which was two inches higher than anyone at this year's combine.
"I knew I could jump over 40 feet," Bonnafon said. "But 43 feet? That was just the mark I hit."Â
Bonnafon will look to take that athletic ability to the field this year, but what position will he play, is yet to be determined.Â
The Cardinals return to the practice field on Wednesday at 3:50 p.m.Â
Starting his career at quarterback and leading the Cardinals in the season opener last season, Bonnafon took on a different role late in the season a year ago, but the coaching staff has expanded his duties this spring.
Just finishing the fifth practice of the spring, Bonnafon has lined up all over the field, and is starting to embrace his versatility. He has been seen catching the ball out of the backfield, lining up in the slot and wherever else head coach Bobby Petrino can find a way to utilize Bonnafon's freak athletic ability.
"So far it's been pretty fun," Bonnafon said. "It's going pretty well right now. It reminds me a lot of playing in little league growing up and they let me play multiple positions and having the freedom to do that. Conditioning has increased because of that, but so far, so good.
Last season after Lamar Jackson emerged at quarterback, Petrino knew he had to find a way to get Bonnafon on the field. Petrino, one of the best offensive masterminds in the country, developed packages to use Bonnafon's athletic abilities, but it looks like Bonnafon will be featured a lot more this season.
"I'm just getting better understanding the game of football," Bonnafon said. "With me playing multiple positions, I'm just a student of the game and I'm just trying to get a feel for the different type of defense. I'm just trying to become an expert in everything I'm doing."
Most players would resent their coach for moving him from the quarterback position, however, Bonnafon is the ultimate team player. He just wants to be a football and help his hometown team win a championship.
"I love football, not necessarily a position," Bonnafon said. "As long as I have the opportunity and I continue to be blessed to come out and play the game of football, I will be happy."
Bonnafon impressed the coaching staff this spring during the testing period before practice began in March. The Trinity High graduate leaped 43.5 in the vertical jump, which was two inches higher than anyone at this year's combine.
"I knew I could jump over 40 feet," Bonnafon said. "But 43 feet? That was just the mark I hit."Â
Bonnafon will look to take that athletic ability to the field this year, but what position will he play, is yet to be determined.Â
The Cardinals return to the practice field on Wednesday at 3:50 p.m.Â
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