By Ben Phillips–
The local guy Reggie Bonnafon will begin his junior season at the wide receiver position. Recruited as a dual threat quarterback out of Trinity High School, Bonnafon is a known athlete. As a true freshman, Bonnafon started five games and had a record of 4-1 at the quarterback position.
One of those wins included a memorable road win against Notre Dame. The ND game he says is a game he “still can’t fathom and a game (he) will forever be proud of.”
At the start of his sophomore year, Bonnafon began as the starting at quarterback. But with a few rough showings, starting with Auburn, Bonnafon switched from QB to a dual player at running back and wide receiver. Despite the change in position, Bonnafon still played sparingly at quarterback. On 79 touches last year, the hometown kid totaled 520 yards and two touchdowns as a three-position utility player.
Bonnafon will mainly focus on the wide receiver position this season. He has experience at the receiver position reaching all the way back to high school. Bonnafon was a starting receiver for the Shamrocks along with Cardinal teammate, James Quick.
Bonnafon is humbled to be the hometown kid and takes pride in representing his city during games and practices.
“Growing up, I’d always drive by and see the stadium and just be in awe of it. Now – to be in the position I’m in – it’s crazy to me,” Bonnafon said. “There’s only a handful of guys who can put on the jersey and have the city they grew up in across their chest. If you don’t have a sense of pride about that then there might be something wrong with you.”
When asked about the incoming freshmen receivers, Bonnafon said they’re “a lot of talent and quick learners that want to get better.”
Willing to do anything to help the team, players can see how much Bonnafon cares about the program and city. Not many players would be completely open to learning three different positions within their first two years on campus. But Bonnafon isn’t like many players.
Photo by Noah Allison / The Louisville Cardinal
