You’ve probably seen the highlights. A 6-foot-6 frame gliding across a high school field in Denver, making cornerbacks look like middle schoolers. That’s Mason Bonner, the Mullen High School standout who officially signed with the Michigan Wolverines in December 2025.
Honestly, the recruiting world was a bit slow to wake up on this one. While the blue-chip five-stars were soaking up the spotlight, Bonner was quietly putting up massive numbers in Colorado. Then the spring of 2025 hit. Suddenly, everyone from Miami to Tennessee was blowing up his phone. But Michigan and Sherrone Moore? They saw the vision early. They didn't just see a tall kid; they saw the next great Big Ten mismatch.
The Commitment That Changed the 2026 Class
It was May 22, 2025. Just a day after Michigan landed four-star tight end Matt Ludwig, Bonner dropped his announcement. He chose the Wolverines over heavy hitters like Texas Tech, Minnesota, and Miami. It wasn't just about the wings on the helmet or the Big Ten titles. For Bonner, it was personal.
"From the time they offered me they showed that they want me to be a part of the family," Bonner told reporters after his commitment. He isn't interested in being just a number on a depth chart. He’s a name. A person. A Denver kid looking to put Colorado football on the map.
His dad, Sherdrick Bonner—who happens to be an assistant coach at Mullen and a former Arena Football League legend—was a big part of the process. Having that pro-level guidance at home is basically a cheat code for a recruit. It’s why Mason carries himself with a level of maturity you don't always see in seventeen-year-olds.
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By the Numbers: Why the Scouts Are Salivating
Let's look at what the kid actually does on the grass. His junior season at Mullen was a "blink and you'll miss it" highlight reel. He hauled in 33 receptions for 617 yards. That’s an average of 18.7 yards per catch. Think about that for a second. For a guy his size, he isn't just a "box out" specialist; he’s a vertical threat.
- Height: 6'6" (and some change depending on who's holding the measuring tape).
- Weight: 215 lbs (He’s lean, but the frame is built for 240+).
- Basketball Background: He’s a double-double machine on the court, averaging 17.5 points and 10 rebounds.
- Senior Leap: In 2025, he bumped those stats to 47 catches and 767 yards.
The basketball background is the "secret sauce" here. You can see it in how he high-points the ball. He treats a fade route like a rebound at the rim. His body control in the air is elite, making those 50/50 balls feel more like 90/10 in his favor.
Is He a Wide Receiver or a Tight End?
This is the big debate. At Mullen, Bonner mostly lined up out wide. He plays like a jumbo receiver. But at Michigan, the plan is almost certainly the "H-Back" or "Flex" tight end role. Think Colston Loveland.
Michigan loves these hybrid types. Guys who are too fast for a linebacker to shadow but too big for a safety to jam at the line. The transition won't be instant. He’s currently around 210-215 pounds. To survive in the trenches against Big Ten defensive ends, he’s going to need to live in the weight room and master the art of the "down block."
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Steve Casula, Michigan’s tight ends coach, was the primary recruiter here. He saw the "diamond in the rough" potential. While Ludwig is the more traditional, polished tight end prospect, Bonner is the "ceiling" guy. He’s the developmental project that makes scouts look like geniuses three years from now when he’s a mismatch nightmare on Saturdays.
The Realities of the 2026 Signing
Michigan didn't just get a player; they got a culture fit. Bonner signed his National Letter of Intent on December 3, 2025. This locked him into a class that features elite talent, but he stands out as one of the most intriguing "evaluations."
Some folks might look at his three-star ranking and shrug. That’s a mistake. Rankings often struggle with kids from Colorado because the level of competition isn't always perceived as high as Texas or Florida. But when you watch the tape—the hip fluidity, the way he drops into his routes, the soft hands—the star count doesn't really matter.
What to Expect in Ann Arbor
Don’t expect Bonner to be the starter on Day 1. That’s just not how it works at this level, especially for a guy who needs to add functional mass. He’s likely a redshirt candidate or a situational red-zone weapon early on.
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The goal? Get him to a solid 235 pounds without losing that 4.6-ish speed. If he keeps his twitch while adding the strength to hold his own in the run game, Michigan has a future NFL target on their hands. He’s already showing he can handle the workload, playing both ways for Mullen and serving as a team captain.
The Roadmap for Mason Bonner:
- Year 1: Strength and conditioning focus. Bulk up while learning the intricate blocking schemes of a pro-style offense.
- Year 2: Transition to the "flex" role. Earn snaps in 12-personnel (two tight ends) packages where he can exploit slower linebackers.
- Year 3 and Beyond: Full-time starter potential. A primary target in the middle of the field and a nightmare for defensive coordinators in the red zone.
Mason Bonner isn't just another recruit. He's a calculated bet by the Michigan staff on raw, unteachable athleticism. Whether he’s lining up with his hand in the dirt or split out in the slot, the Denver native is bringing a specific set of tools to Ann Arbor that are hard to find.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to keep tabs on his progress before he arrives on campus, watch the Colorado high school basketball playoffs. Seeing him move on the court gives you a much better idea of his "twitch" than any football camp drill. Also, keep an eye on the official Michigan Football social channels for spring camp updates in 2026, as early enrollees often get their first taste of the "big time" during those March and April sessions. Monitoring his weight gain through the summer will be the biggest indicator of how early he sees the field.