The Miami Hurricanes defensive staff continues its quest to improve a unit that severely underwhelmed last season, failing to capitalize on the successes of the best offense in college football.
Saturday, the Hurricanes received a commitment that provided a boost to the linebacker room when middle linebacker Kamal Bonner announced his intentions to transfer to Miami.
The former NC State standout, who entered his name in the transfer portal last Monday, provides much-needed depth to a position group that does not have the necessary experience behind senior Wesley Bissainthe and Jaylin Alderman, who transferred into the program last April.
BREAKING: NC State transfer LB Kamal Bonner has Committed to Miami, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 215 LB started 7 games, totaling 56 Tackles, 7 TFL, & 1 Sack
3 years of eligibility left
Repped by @david_benzaken and @IanGrutman of @GSEworldwidehttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/4gPLIgXw55
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 26, 2025
Bonner, a former high school safety who packed on 25 pounds of muscle during his first year in Raleigh, joins Miami with three years of eligibility remaining and figures to compete for immediate playing time.
After enrolling early in January 2023, the athletic linebacker from Moultrie, GA redshirted after seeing action in five contests that fall.
Last season he appeared in each of the Wolfpack’s 13 games, registering 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a sack. The majority of his production came in the second half of the season, when he was inserted into the starting lineup after an injury to Caden Fordham.
Miami Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman will be able to use his newest defender at both backer positions if needed; Bonner played outside linebacker before moving inside midseason. He was impactful in his first start at home versus Syracuse, making a career high nine tackles, with one coming for a loss.
With a knack for always being around the football, Bonner had back to back games last season with two tackles for loss and five consecutive games with at least one. He also never ended a game with less than six tavckles once he became a starter.
On why he chose Miami, “The conversation with the coaching staff was really good,” Explained Bonner. “The scheme fits me, and it’s a really good defense. They let me know they need a dog in the room ready to work, and I feel like that’s what I can do.”
As per On3, Miami now boasts the nation’s fifth-highest rated transfer portal class but could improve on that ranking as the staff seeks bolster the secondary by adding a starting-caliber safety.
The Miami Hurricanes defensive staff continues its quest to improve a unit that severely underwhelmed last season, failing to capitalize on the successes of the best offense in college football.
Saturday, the Hurricanes received a commitment that provided a boost to the linebacker room when middle linebacker Kamal Bonner announced his intentions to transfer to Miami.
The former NC State standout, who entered his name in the transfer portal last Monday, provides much-needed depth to a position group that does not have the necessary experience behind senior Wesley Bissainthe and Jaylin Alderman, who transferred into the program last April.
BREAKING: NC State transfer LB Kamal Bonner has Committed to Miami, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 215 LB started 7 games, totaling 56 Tackles, 7 TFL, & 1 Sack
3 years of eligibility left
Repped by @david_benzaken and @IanGrutman of @GSEworldwidehttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/4gPLIgXw55
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 26, 2025
Bonner, a former high school safety who packed on 25 pounds of muscle during his first year in Raleigh, joins Miami with three years of eligibility remaining and figures to compete for immediate playing time.
After enrolling early in January 2023, the athletic linebacker from Moultrie, GA redshirted after seeing action in five contests that fall.
Last season he appeared in each of the Wolfpack’s 13 games, registering 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a sack. The majority of his production came in the second half of the season, when he was inserted into the starting lineup after an injury to Caden Fordham.
Miami Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman will be able to use his newest defender at both backer positions if needed; Bonner played outside linebacker before moving inside midseason. He was impactful in his first start at home versus Syracuse, making a career high nine tackles, with one coming for a loss.
With a knack for always being around the football, Bonner had back to back games last season with two tackles for loss and five consecutive games with at least one. He also never ended a game with less than six tavckles once he became a starter.
On why he chose Miami, “The conversation with the coaching staff was really good,” Explained Bonner. “The scheme fits me, and it’s a really good defense. They let me know they need a dog in the room ready to work, and I feel like that’s what I can do.”
As per On3, Miami now boasts the nation’s fifth-highest rated transfer portal class but could improve on that ranking as the staff seeks bolster the secondary by adding a starting-caliber safety.
