'I think he's the complete package': What Ohio State football is getting in Jayden Bonsu

Rich Hansen didn’t know Jayden Bonsu that well heading into last season.

Bonsu, a junior safety, was an incoming transfer from Hillsdale High School, preparing to play his first season at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. It didn’t take long for the coach to realize what he had.

“To be honest with you,” Hansen said, “he was right on the cusp of becoming a really good one, a really great one.”

But once Bonsu got into Hansen’s defense and lived up to that expectation, the 2023 four-star safety’s recruitment picked up, earning offers from major college football programs from around the country, including Alabama, USC and Miami.

It’s what brought Bonsu onto Ohio State's radar, joining the Buckeyes’ 2023 class as its 20th commitment on Aug. 14.

Jayden Bonsu does a bit of everything for St. Peter's Prep's defense

What Bonsu brings to St. Peter’s Prep’s defense is not what Hansen expected initially.

The coach expected to bring the safety in and have him master one position to get him on the field. Instead, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bonsu played a bit of everything for the defense, whether it was as a bigger defensive back at all three safety spots or as an outside or nickel linebacker.

Hansen said it’s Bonsu’s combination of size and speed that allows him to have the versatility, bringing his defense top-level coverage skills with his fluid hips and quickness in and out of transitions.

But no matter where he placed Bonsu, whether it was at any of the safety spots or at outside linebacker, he’s making calls for the defense.

“Even when he is at the nickel spot, he’s making calls like he’s a safety,” Hansen said. “It’s just having another quarterback on the field.”

In 12 games last season, Bonsu recorded 62 tackles with 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks. He also added eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Heading into his senior season, he is the No. 22 safety and the No. 260 player in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite ranking.

But to Hansen, Bonsu’s ability to learn the defensive system and get on board with his new program at St. Peter’s Prep allowed him to flourish much more quickly.

“We’re a school (that) has a lot of really good players, and an atmosphere that kind of breeds really good players,” Hansen said. “Seeing the way that he acclimated, seeing the way that he fit in and matching that with his talent, we kind of knew right away that, one, it was a good fit for him for high school, and that, two, he was going to be a very special player too.”

Ohio State made big initial impression on Jayden Bonsu

On the recruiting trail, Hansen saw Bonsu’s focus on authenticity and relationship building, including Ohio State in his top-five along with Miami, Michigan State, Alabama and Penn State. Bonsu postponed his initial commitment date of July 20 three weeks, needing more time to decide who he would choose.

The Buckeyes, Hansen remembered, made a big impression on Bonsu, who he describes as “a quiet, humble kid.”

“Coach (Perry) Eliano and Ryan Day they just have a great, great thing going,” Hansen said. “From the first time that they spoke, I just remember it being very authentic and very centered on the big picture, life skills and how important football is in terms of developing guys for the rest of life.”

Now that Bonsu’s committed to Ohio State, Hansen said the safety’s focus is the same as the other players on his roster: developing fundamentals and working on the little things, while also working on his core strength in the weight room.

As for what Ohio State is getting, Hansen thinks it’s the same as what St. Peter’s Prep will get out of Bonsu in his senior season.

“I think he’s the complete package,” Hansen said.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jayden Bonsu, 2023 commit, brings versatility to Ohio State defense