Carter Bonner is one of the top young versatile players in the WPIAL with multiple Division I offers and had an opportunity to show out for one of the college programs that is pushing hard for him.
In a 21-13 win this past Friday night over Aliquippa, Bonner competed in front of Penn State head coach James Franklin and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith.
The two coaches flew in on a helicopter to Penn Hills High School to check in on the 2027 recruit, who holds an offer from the Nittany Lions, along with a few Aliquippa Quips.
“It was an excitement seeing them making me and my guys want to give them a show,” Bonner told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “It also gives us motivation to win even more.”
That added motivation translated to the 6-foot-2, 190-pound wide receiver/defensive back’s play on the field as he was an instrumental piece in handing Aliquippa its first loss since the state title game in 2022.
“This win means a lot,” Bonner said. “We practiced hard and came out here and dominated.”
In a scoreless game, Bonner displayed his receiving abilities late in the second quarter. With five seconds to go, Bonner was lined up one-on-one with Larry Moon III – another Penn State target with over 40 offers. However, Bonner won the matchup, pulling in an 11-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Jay’mere Ellis.
“Larry’s a great defender, but I told my coaches, ‘Throw it up to me and I’m going to make a play.’ Jay’mere was able to make a great throw and great catch by me to get two feet in in the end zone,” Bonner said.
“Coach told us we’re going to put him one-on-one. I just had to trust my receiver. I just had to trust my receiver. I had to put the ball where it needed to be for him to make a play,” Ellis added.
Bonner joined the Penn Hills program during the offseason from Shady Side Academy and has been a key fit into the offense.
“He gives us a different dynamic we haven’t had since Raion Strader: a taller receiving threat. It’s an extra element you have to cover against a taller receiver,” Penn Hills head coach Charles Morris said.
The sophomore has shown his effectiveness on offense, but is primarily recruited as a defensive back and he played lock down corner on the Quips even as they cut the deficit to eight points late in the game.
“We wanted to get a stop and get back on offense and waste time. As the game was getting closer, we knew that we were built for this because we’re diamonds. Pressure builds diamonds,” Bonner said.
With Bonner helping Penn Hills to a 2-3 record, he has also been actively building upon a relationship with another school in his recruitment process and that’s the Pitt Panthers.
Pitt was Bonner’s first offer back in September of 2023 and has since formed a strong connection with the program as he was back in for a game day visit for the Backyard Brawl.
“The Brawl was very exciting. I was there with my coach. We watched over the game and where I would be at,” Bonner said.
This visit stood out amongst the rest as it was an opportunity to see the Panthers in game action.
“I learned that their tradition is close to ours with their walk out. They have a good culture and that’s what I like about the team. The coaches really like me, and I love that.”
Along with Pitt and Penn State, Bonner holds offers from West Virginia, Michigan State, Maryland, Akron, Miami (OH) UConn, Troy and UNLV.
