The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 37 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL S haun Mailo knew last season was an important one for Mason Bon- ner, Rivals' No. 3 prospect in Colorado and No. 22 tight end in the country. The Denver Mullen High assistant had coached the tight end since he was in the seventh grade, and his recruitment was starting to heat up. But when the team lost one of its de- fensive ends, Mailo called upon Bonner to go the extra mile for the program. He needed the three-star recruit — at the time considered a wide receiver pros- pect — to play defense. "He's the kind of kid that is going to do anything for the team," Mailo said. Bonner stepped into that role and made 20 tackles as a junior, teaming up with class of 2027 edge rusher Troy Mailo — a Michigan target — to quiet opposing offenses. "Nobody could run anywhere," the elder Mailo said. That selflessness helped his team on the field and boosted his recruiting profile. Bonner emerged as a tight end prospect who played primarily outside receiver, and he answered any questions about his toughness and physicality last fall. In fact, his success on that side of the ball caught Michigan tight end's coach Steve Casula's attention. "He liked my defensive film," Bonner told The Wolverine. "That's one of the reasons he told me he pulled the trigger. It's because my defensive film showed that I'm not scared to be in the trenches." Michigan offered Bonner Dec. 17. The Wolverines were his seventh scholar- ship at the time. He continued to build their relationship from there, and Bon- ner visited for the first time in March. The 6-foot-6 junior committed to the Wolverines May 22. Bonner held things down defensively for his Mullen High teammates and continued to dominate at tight end, av- eraging an explosive 18.7 yards per catch on his way to a 617-yard season. Mailo sees a clear fit for him at Michigan. "Mason and Matt Ludwig [Michigan's other tight end commit], to me, are two different types of tight ends but also can do a lot of the same things," Mailo said. "I think Michigan is a place that has the history, and if you are trying to eventu- ally get to that next level, I think a school like Michigan is primed for a tight end, especially a tight end of Mason's caliber." Mailo sat in meetings with Casula and Bonner and heard U-M's vision for its commit. The Wolverines love to utilize their tight ends and have multiple dif- ferent archetypes at the position that fit into the offense. Casula put Bonner's film side-by- side with NFL first round draft pick and former Michigan standout Colston Loveland. The tight end thought they looked pretty similar. "They've done a good job," Bonner said. "They've had a lot of greats there, and I feel like they do a good job devel- oping players too." Bonner visited Michigan just once before he announced his decision. Min- nesota was the program's main compe- tition. He returned to Ann Arbor for his Victors Weekend official visit. The tight end commit has not spent much time around the program, but he already had a clear pitch for other recruits consider- ing a similar path. "I would really just tell them just get ready to be welcomed into a brother- hood," Bonner said. "That's the number one thing. … They'll be welcomed into a family that's going to feel like something completely different than they've ever felt before." Back on the field, Mailo praised Bon- ner's physicality and route running but also touted his willingness to do whatever he can for his teammates. He's extremely agile for his size and has the speed to run past defensive backs. And in the run game, Bonner blocks with an edge. "Sometimes I've almost had to pull him back a little bit because he'll take the kid and try to take him to the bleach- ers," Mailo said. Plus, he has a large frame you can't teach. That certainly helps. Bonner's coach wants to see him emerge as a leader this fall in his final season with Mullen. Mailo might even pull him back to the de- fensive side of the ball at times. Chances are, Bonner will be up for the task. ❑ U-M Lands Colorado Tight End Mason Bonner PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Mason Bonner is a tall, ath- letic pass-catching tight end. A guy who needs to continue growing into his body, but he certainly has the movement skills and also has the ball skills as well that you covet in a tight end who you want to create a mismatch in the passing game. … He looks to run well. He is a guy who can stretch the field. I think the overall move- ment skills are very appealing. Obviously, being taller and athletic, I think he projects to have a good catch radius as well. And then, you like that he plays basketball at the high school level, just giving him some versatility, coordination and athleticism that you like to see at the position. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: I think the biggest thing with Mason Bonner is he's going to need to continue adding size to his frame. He's pretty lean right now. He's a guy who I think is going to definitely need time in Michigan's strength program to tack on the weight and develop just from a physical perspective, and that'll allow him to be a guy who can give you something in the run game as a blocker. He's really currently just a big receiver, so he's going to need to continue adding size, but he's a developmental type of tight end who I think has a nice upside if he contin- ues to develop and put on mass. PLAYER COMPARISON: Former Louisi- ana-Lafayette and NFL tight end Ladarius Green. — Rivals' director of scouting and rankings Charles Power Bonner, Rivals' No. 22 tight end in the country, averaged 18.7 yards per catch and totaled 617 receiving yards as a junior. PHOTO BY ETHAN MCDOWELL