Dolphins CB Ethan Bonner hopes to follow in footsteps of Jason Sehorn
MIAMI GARDENS — When Tyreek Hill was trying to identify the second-fastest Miami Dolphin, he didn't say De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert or Jaylen Waddle.
"We've got another dude on practice squad that's pretty fast," Hill said. "Ethan Bonner. White kid. Fast."
Ethan Bonner? The undrafted rookie cornerback from Stanford?
Yes, Hill and Bonner confirmed. They were each clocked at a Dolphins-best 22 mph in training camp.
"Not a lot of people expect me to be fast," Bonner said in the Dolphins' locker room on Thursday.
Bonner was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine or the Senior Bowl.
But at Stanford's Pro Day, he ran 40 yards in a blazing 4.39 seconds.
"May not call him out in a race," Hill said.
Bonner was a high school track star in Texas, part of a record-breaking 4x100 squad.
"I had a lot of injuries in college," Bonner said. "Didn't really shake out. Never had, like an outstanding season like I kind of wanted. I've always kind of had that chip on my shoulder. You know, so that's just sort of continue to play like that. Always feel like the underdog."
Bonner is acutely aware that the NFL has not had a white cornerback regularly start in the NFL since 2002. It was, of course, a New York Giant.
"I want to be that that next Jason Sehorn," Bonner said. "And prove that, you know, I can do it, too."
Bonner says observing Pro Bowlers Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey has been valuable.
"Early in camp when Jalen was playing, working with him after practice a little bit, some press technique and stuff like that," Bonner said. "Just kind of absorbing all those little coaching points."
In April, the Broncos selected Iowa cornerback Riley Moss, who is white, in the third round.
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Moss, like Bonner, an elite athlete, said at the combine that many teams would test his deep speed.
Bonner could relate.
"Oh yeah, of course," Bonner said. "I was always being attacked. Like they look out, see a white guy and they're like, 'OK, yeah, let's go after him.'"
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But Bonner was very solid at Stanford.
As a Dolphin, Bonner is helping Miami's receivers by providing a good look on the scout team.
His goal, of course, is to be promoted to Miami's 53-man roster.
"My family sacrificed a lot for me growing up," Bonner said. "A lot of time and a lot of money. I want to repay that for them."
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Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on social media platforms @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tyreek Hill said Ethan Bonner is the Dolphins' second-fastest player. Who?
