2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 24 Days (Bryson Bonds)

Written By Ben Gillard

Welcome, Hoosier fans to the 2024 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! Over the next 100 days the Hoosier Huddle staff will feature every player on the 2024 roster in anticipation of the season opener on August 31st against the FIU Golden Panthers. Today, we look at redshirt junior defensive back Bryson Bonds.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: # 24 – Bryson Bonds

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 199 pounds

Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

High School: Crowley 

Class/Position: Redshirt Junior / Defensive Back

Coming out of high school, Bonds was ranked the number 51 safety nationally by ESPN, choosing the Hoosiers over Minnesota, Army, and Air Force. While he has appeared in 34 total games, he has yet to break the starting lineup as a safety, falling behind guys like Josh Sanguinetti and Nic Toomer.

Instead, Bonds has seemingly found his place on the Hoosier’s special teams unit, where he has been a solid contributor since his sophomore season. Following the 2023 season, Pro Football Focus ranked Bonds as the third-highest graded special teams player in the Big Ten with an 81.5.

Perhaps Bond’s best performances have come against Ohio State. He made 4 tackles and recovered a fumble vs. the Buckeyes in 2022 and recorded two solo special teams tackles in 2023.

With the return of Josh Sanguinetti and Nic Toomer and the addition of transfer Shawn Ashbury II this offseason, it seems likely that Bonds will continue his role as a backup safety and special teams ace in the 2024 season.