Running back Brian Bonner of Valencia has speed, and moves, to burn

Second in a series of stories, profiling the best secondary football players by position. Today, Brian Bonner, Valencia flowing back.

There are many ways in which Brian Bonner of Valencia has an impact on a football match. As a ball carrier, using its speed of 10.48 seconds per 100 meters, any kind of opening creates the opportunity for a touch.

Ditto by grabbing a balloon out of the rear field and being allowed to improvise when the defenders missed. And then there are kick-off returns, where it accumulates speed as a locomotive and goes more quickly to the goals than to put mustard on a hot dog.

“I think being versatile is very important,” he said. “Many university teams are looking for a ball carrier who can make the ball more than run. They want you to catch and block.”

At 6 feet and 190 pounds, Bonner is ready to take a place among the many big backs of Valence from the past, from Manuel White to Shane Vereen to Steven Manfro, who all made the ranks of the college.

“It’s really cool to learn the story of other runners and it would be an honor to be part of this group,” said Bonner. “I learned all the great things they have done in Valence.”

No one was faster in the history of Valence than Bonner, which began to draw attention when he ran 100 meters in 10.85 seconds in his last race in the first year. A jostling of football offers began to come after its period of 10.48 last year.

Brian Bonner de Valencia presents himself for a foot film against West Ranch during his second season.

(Craig Weston)

“My recruitment has started to explode,” he said. “They were really impressed by speed and my football form has supported my speed. The best way to determine how fast someone is in track. People can see how fast you are as a player and that shows how important the speed is for coaches.”

Bonner rushed for 1,493 yards and 25 affected last season and also captured 40 passes for 498 yards and four affected. He signed up in Washington last month.

His combination of speed, size and versatility makes him a precious offensive weapon. Add his patience and youth to that. He has just been 17 years old in July and fully agreed to play junior university football in the first year.

“I think everyone wants to play Varsity in the first year,” he said. “Now that I look back, it was good. I learned things that I brought to university. I knew what to expect instead of being a first -year student and not knowing what to expect. ”

Valencia coach Larry Muir plots how to best use the versatility and speed of Bonner.

“When you are special, you have skills to catch the ball from the rear field and it does it as well as anyone,” said Muir. “Its speed is incredible, but when you put it on the open ground and put it in the open space, it’s fun to watch.”

It is the last year of Bonner, and there is no intention of counting what he has done in the past or the 100 meters of time that he has run.

“You have to work hard because everyone will improve,” he said. “You have to stand out and do things that many people will not do to be the best. Spending overtime, learning games, learning defenses, becoming a student out of the game.”

THURSDAY: Receiver St. John Bosco Madden Williams.

Running back to watch

Maliq Allen, St. John Bosco, 5-8, 180, Jr.: Showed lightning lightning with 1,003 yards on the ground

Brian Bonner, Valencia, 6-0, 190, sr.: Speed and hands make his explosive weapon

Justin Lewis, Mater Dei, 5-10, 195, Sr.: Thousand Oaks Transfer won 1,306 yards as a junior

AJ McBean, Mira Costa, 5-11, 208, Jr.: Big back with speed and power

Sean Morris, Orange Lutheran, 5-10, 195, Sr.: Northwestern Commit Transfers of Loyola

Deshonne Redeaux, Oaks Christian, 6-0, 185, Sr.: USC COMMIT has high expectations for the senior season

Edward Rivera, Compton, 6-0, 185, Jr.: The transfer of the city section won 1,843 yards and 21 TDs last season

Ceasar Reyes, Garfield, 5-11, 175, Jr.

Journee Tonga, Leuzinger, 5-8, 175, sr.

Jorden Wells, Servite, 5-7, 150, So.: Let’s see what Speedster can do in the first university season