The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bonnafon sees his future as running back
Louisville senior has spent most of career as receiver.
Reggie Bonnafon didn’t complain when an eventual Heisman Trophy winner supplanted him at quarterback, and he hasn’t looked back on what might have been.
He has focused on succeeding wherever Louisville coaches placed him and has remained optimistic while seesawing between being running back and wide receiver the past two seasons.
“Any opportunity I’m blessed to have and the coaches trust me with, I don’t take it lightly,” said Bonnafon, who caught 13 passes for 159 yards and five touchdown passes from Jackson during his amazing run to the Heisman last fall.
He added, “I try to give the best that I have.”
The process continues for the versatile Cardinals senior, whom coach Bobby Petrino said he regrets not using more often in 2016. Getting touches won’t be an issue this fall as Bonnafon transitions to full-time duty in the backfield.
Seeing an obvious need last spring when injuries thinned the Cardinals’ backfield corps, the Louisville native took some snaps in a scrimmage and discovered his best skill might be carrying the ball. Petrino agreed and has placed him atop the depth chart, looking forward to utilizing Bonnafon more at a position that seems to suit him well.
“He played wide receiver most of his life growing up, so that was an easy thing for him to transition to playing another position,” Petrino said of Bonnafon on media day. “But he looks a lot more natural running the ball. He’s seeing it, he’s making the cuts. I’m anxious to see how he does.”
Auburn: Quarterback-turned-receiver John Franklin III is transferring.
Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said Tuesday that Franklin indicated he is looking “for the chance to play more and get closer to home.” Franklin, who is from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has already graduated and could play immediately as a graduate transfer. He posted on Instagram that he’ll play his final season at Florida Atlantic.
Malzahn named Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham as starting quarterback on Monday.
Franklin started his career at Florida State, then transferred to East Mississippi Community College and was among the players featured in the first season of the Netflix Show “Last Chance U.”
Franklin ran for 430 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 204 yards and a score last season.
Florida: On Day 1 of his new job at Sirius XM, Steve Spurrier did not waste any time sharing his thoughts on Florida’s wide receiver Antonio Callaway’s suspension.
Spurrier asked the question on everyone’s minds about Callaway.
“People are wondering when he’s going to straighten up,” Spurrier said. “I get the feeling this will be Antonio Callaway’s last chance.”
Callaway’s third off-thefield incident in 20 months led coach Jim McElwain to suspend his star playmaker and six teammates from the Sept. 2 season opener against Michigan.
Spurrier praised McElwain’s punishment, noting he suspended star cornerback Jalen Tabor and tight end C’ytonai Lewis for last season’s opener after the two engaged in a fistfight during preseason camp.
Callaway has had opportunities to learn from his mistakes.
On May 13, he was cited for marijuana possession while he was a passenger in the car with a 40-yearold career criminal. McElwain said Monday he felt Callaway had made “strides.”
Instead, Callways and his teammates reportedly used funds from their scholarships to buy electronics, and then reported the cards had been stolen.
Spurrier said at some point any player, even Callaway, becomes too much of a headache. During two seasons, Callaway has more catches (89), receiving yards (1,399) and total touchdowns (11) than any Florida receiver. He also is a dynamic punt returner.
“He’s a good receiver, but the Gators have a lot of good receivers,” Spurrier said. “I think we have enough good ballplayers to beat Michigan and the outcome won’t be affected.”
Tennessee: Freshman wide receiver Jacquez Jones will miss the entire season with a knee injury.