Bonner, Wilborn to play in inaugural Raycom All-Star Classic on Saturday
From Staff Reports
sports@newnan.com
If things go the way Alan Bonner hopes, Newnan High could have more than one of its former football stars drafted by an NFL team this spring.
The one-time Cougar All-State receiver — who recently wrapped up a stellar career at Jacksonville State — will play in a pair of postseason college all-star games over the next two weeks.
The 2 p.m. game will be shown on CBS Sports Network.
Both will play for the Stars roster, made up of players from East Coast schools and coached by Jim Bates. Former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves will coach the Stripes.
In addition to the Raycom game, Bonner has been selected to play in this year’s Senior Bowl while also being invited to the upcoming NFL Combine on Feb. 20. He joins former Cougar teammate Alec Ogletree among this year’s pro prospects and the duo could be the first Newnan High players drafted since offensive lineman Michael Cheever in 1996.
The 5-11, 168-pound receiver led Jacksonville State in catches (50), receiving yards (859) and touchdowns (8) while also used as a punt and kick returner. He also had nine carries for 46 yards and had a 20-yard pass completion on his only attempt.
Bonner appeared in every game for the Gamecocks over a four year span starting as a true freshman in 2009 and earning a spot on the All-OVC Newcomer Team. He was the program’s top receiver as a junior with 33 catches for 582 yards and three touchdowns.
Wilborn was also a four-year contributor at Troy, playing multiple positions for the Trojans over his career and overcoming a number of injuries to remain a starter during his final three seasons.
He moved into a starting position at center as a senior while finishing his career as a First Team All-Sun Belt selection. He was part of a unit that finished 25th in the NCAA in sacks allowed (1.25) on an offense that averaged 42 passes per game.
Wilborn, at 6-4, 299-pounds, started 47 games over his career and led the Trojans with an 87-percent grade for the season with 122 knockdowns. As a junior, he started 10 games at left guard and was the only offensive starter not to allow a sack despite battling shoulder and knee injuries.
He started all 13 games as a sophomore and had 12 as a redshirt freshman at right tackle. Wilborn was The Heritage School’s first Division I football signee after playing just two years of varsity football.
