Matt Rhule on Janiran Bonner: 'I think he's an NFL fullback'

This spring, the Nebraska Cornhuskers‘ offense has been rounding into shape. All signs point to a strong chance that true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola could lead head coach Matt Rhule’s offense in his second season running the program. But the Cornhuskers’ star quarterback is likely going to need a few weapons at his disposal in order to be successful in 2024. Painter into the conversation Nebraska tight end Janiran Bonner.

Bonner is entering his third season in the program after committing to the Cornhuskers as part of former head coach Scott Frost‘s 2022 recruiting class. Last season, the redshirt sophomore spent time at tight end primarily but found himself being used all over the field. That is why Rhule sees Bonner lining up at a different position once he makes the jump to the NFL and also has some high praise for his young, talented tight end.

“Yeah, Janiran, I think he is an NFL fullback. But I also think he’s a dynamic wideout, too,” said Rhule. “And I think it is a credit to Corey that Janiran has really improved and continues to improve his body. He’s in that 218 range, so to me, he is a true weapon. He is a guy that we could conceivably play at wideout for 10 plays in a row, or we could motion in, and he’ll block defensive ends.

“He carried the football for us last year. What I love is you see the perimeter screen game that we have going on; To you have a 220lbs wideout out there blocking their nickel, that helps… I’m really pleased with what Janiran has done, and I think he will continue to evolve. You’ll see him line up in a lot of different places in the offense.”

Last season, Bonner lined up as a fullback from Nebraska. In 12 games, he recorded four carries for nine yards and one rushing touchdown. He also had one reception for five yards. This year, it appears as if Rhule may try to use Bonner similarly to how Kirby Smart used the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brock Bowers. If Bonner can put together a Bowers light campaign in 2024 with Raiola at the helm, Nebraska could be a serious threat and contender for the national championship for the next few years.

Raiola on Nebraska offense: ‘I love it’

The Cornhuskers are in the midst of a quarterback competition, with Raiola pushing to take over as the starter early in his career.

Following the program’s spring game, Raiola met with the media. There, he shared that he’s extremely happy with the offense that he’s playing in.

“I love it,” Dylan Raiola said. “There’s many different variables to it. You know, whether it’s checks, you know, get us in the right play or, you know, the coaches just put us in a position to be successful. But no, I, I think it’s, it’s based on our playmakers. You know, we have a lot of those, we want to use them and, you know, we’re just trying to find ways to push the ball to our guys and, and watch them go work.”

The decision at starting quarterback is going to be a massive one for Rhule, who is looking to get the Cornhuskers back to a bowl game for the first time since 2016. Along with Dylan Raiola, Heinrich Haarberg and Daniel Kaelin are competing for the job.