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Miami Hurricanes Add Key Linebacker Kamal Bonner from NC State

On3 imageby:Matt Shodell•04/26/25•

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Kamal Bonner
© Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

The Miami Hurricanes have landed an experienced ACC linebacker with three years of eligibility remaining who helps alleviate some of the experienced depth issues at the position. That would be NC State transfer Kamal Bonner, who visited UM April 24-26.

“They’re a good program that develops players and could make me a great one,” Bonner said. “I just feel like they have a great family environment going on.

“They have great coaches and people in Miami, and it’s a great environment.”

Last season as a redshirt freshman he showed in ACC play that he’s a guy that can perform at a high level. Bonner ended the 2024 season with 56 tackles, seven TFL and a sack, and he got experience playing WILL and Mike – he began the year as a backup outside linebacker before moving inside and starting the final seven games once Caden Fordham suffered a season-ending injury in Game 6.

Per Pro Football Focus, Bonner played 486 reps and graded out at 60.2 percent (61.9 run defense grade, 41.8 tackle grade with 16 missed tackle and 58.3 cover grade allowing 12 catches on 14 targets for 103 yards).

A former safety, he put on 25 pounds in his first year at the program out of high school and now is a 6-2, 215-pounder. He is rangy and quick to the ball.

As for why Miami wanted and needed Bonner?

Well, the Canes return only one linebacker with starting experience, Wesley Bissainthe. In coordinator Corey Hetherman’s 4-2-5 the team was seeking an experienced, playmaking middle linebacker.

This spring we saw others that are looking to step up including Raul Aguirre, Chase Smith and Bobby Pruitt, but none of the three have many reps of experience under their belts.

Bonner fits the bill for what Miami wanted to add at the position.

And there’s a very good shot he’ll be lining up next to Bissainthe as a starter next season when Miami takes the field vs. Notre Dame.

“The conversation with the coaching staff was really good,” Bonner said. “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.”

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