Linebacker Kamal Bonner transferring to Miami from ACC Rival

Miami added a potential starter to its 2025 roster and for the future with a commitment from North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner in the transfer portal on Saturday. Bonner has three seasons of eligibility remaining. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Bonner had 56 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and one sack.

Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U reported Miami beat out Indiana and Rutgers for the commitment from Bonner. After five tackles in the first six games in 2024, Bonner had 51 tackles, 8.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack over the final seven contests when he was elevated to being a starter due to an injury in front of him.

Urrutia reported that Bonner has the versatility to play the WILL, SAM and MIKE LBs for Miami. Wesley Bissainthe returns for Miami as the projected starting MIKE LB. New defensive coordinator and LBs coach Corey Hetherman now has the versatility to move Bissianthe and Bonner around.

Bonner was a three-star prospect in both the 2023 class and as a transfer but was the 10th-ranked LB in the 2025 portal. The addition of Bonner to the 2025 roster will be the 11th incoming transfer' to the 2025 roster. That does not include cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, who re-entered the portal after transferring to Miami in the winter portal.

Miami has the sixth-ranked 2025 transfer class. That includes Karnley but does not include Bonner. Bonner committed to Miami after his visit to Coral Gables on Friday and is the first transfer LB for Miami in the 2025 class. Miami did not have a lot of experience returning at LB other than Jaylin Alderman and Bissainthe.

Rising sophomore Cam Pruitt and junior Raul Aguirre are projected as the other top LBs for Miami entering the 2025 season. Hetherman is expected to have a more aggressive defense than Miami played during the last two seasons under departed defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.