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A disappointing end to the 2015 season hasn't slowed down the Kentucky Wildcats on the recruiting trail.
Already having a stout 2016 class locked up, the Cats just added another big-time commitment in the form of junior college defender Jordan Bonner, according to Justin Rowland of Rivals.com:
Confirmed: Jordan Bonner tells Cats Illustrated those sources were right. He's Kentucky's 23rd commitment. Enormous piece to puzzle.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 13, 2015
Bonner will have three years to complete three seasons of eligibility in Lexington. Had previously planned to take all five officials.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 13, 2015
Listed as a 6-5, 215-pound defensive end/outside linebacker, Bonner committed to Kentucky while holding offers from Tennessee, Nebraska, Louisville, Virginia Tech, New Mexico, and Memphis among others. Bonner is rated as the No. 10 JUCO outside linebacker and No. 148 overall JUCO prospect by 247 Sports Composite.
UK recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow hinted at the big get before it became official:
Got a great addition tonight. #Yahtzee
— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) December 13, 2015
Me and my dude @vincemarrow at the UK basketball game. #CATS pic.twitter.com/eShPslAA4H
— Jordan Bonner (@TheGolden_child) December 12, 2015
Originally from Cleveland (OH), Bonner just completed his first full JUCO season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (redshirted in 2014), where he racked up seven sacks, 37 tackles and one forced fumble in nine games.
For perspective, UK finished the 2015 season with just 17 sacks and only seven from defensive ends and outside linebackers. The Cats simply could not get pressure off the edge consistently, and because of that, Bonner will have a great shot at making an impact his first year in Lexington. That was likely Mark Stoops and co.'s biggest selling point to Bonner, who has already visited the Vols and named them his leader following his trip to Knoxville.
Here are some of Bonner's JUCO highlights: