Last Chance U: Top 5 stars from EMCC in Season 2
By Phil Poling
Tim Bonner, Defensive End | Florida Atlantic University
Our honorable mention, Tim Bonner displayed a knack for pass-rushing during his high school days in Demopolis, Alabama. He was good enough to receive attention from Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Louisville – where he spent a brief period in 2015 before transferring to EMCC.
During Season 2 of Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” Bonner was one of many pass-rushers along the defensive line. He stood out with 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, but needs to improve his consistency in order to contribute week-in and week-out at the next level. Bonner made four or more tackles in five games for EMCC in 2016, but had only 13 tackles combined in the other seven contests.
"“A hell of a pass rusher…He’s a funny, bright guy – he don’t know when to shut it off sometimes, but mentally Tim just has to focus.” – Davern Williams, Defensive Line Coach | EMCC"
Bonner made his presence felt in the games, he also stuffed the stat sheet. In the season opener he had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. In their seventh game, Bonner sacked the quarterback twice and hopped on another loose fumble. Two weeks later, his collision course to the quarterback continued, reaching Hinds CC’s quarterback twice. He combined for 1.5 sacks in the final two games.
Bonner is transferring to Florida Atlantic University to continue his academic and athletic careers, along with another player on our list later and EMCC quarterbacks coach Clint Trickett. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 lbs., Bonner could light up quarterbacks in Conference USA if he gets an opportunity.