In need of an impact defensive end with C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Trey Hendrickson graduating, the coaches at Florida Atlantic thought they landed a suitable replacement in East Mississippi pass rusher Tim Bonner.

Bonner has made his presence felt in his first season with the Owls (3-3, 2-0 in C-USA play), but his biggest moments have come on special teams.

"He’s done well in his few opportunities (at defensive end), and he’s one of the best kickoff-coverage guys in the country," FAU coach Lane Kiffin said.

As teammate Ernest Bagner explained, Bonner’s highlights on special teams attention grabbing.

"The whole team is locked in as soon as kickoff starts because we know Tim is gonna catch somebody with the ‘doom boom,’" Bagner said. "When you hit somebody with that doom boom, that gives (teammates) the momentum to get on the field and get a stop."

The "doom boom," as it is affectionately called by his teammates, is when Bonner hits an opposing player so hard that teammates mimic that player losing his wind.

"I just run upfield, see people, hit people, I don’t even care!" Bonner said of the tactic. "That’s how it’s always happened."

A star at East Mississippi following an October 2015 dismissal from Louisville for allegedly having a gun in his dorm, Bonner battled a concussion over the summer but impressed his coaches on special teams when healthy. Displaying an enthusiasm and love for big hits, Bonner was rewarded with a starting spot on kickoff coverage and the freedom to make those bone-crunching stops.

Starring on special teams, Bonner explained, is what he grew up doing in Alabama before receiving a scholarship to play for the Cardinals.

"I did that (all through) high school, and that’s how I got recruited," Bonner said. "Nobody looked at me for defense. They always tell me (my tape was great on special teams) so that’s how all my big-time offers came through."

Asked if he was worried about potentially getting hurt on special teams, Bonner shook his head. "I just go."

With FAU beginning a second-half stretch that will see them take on some of Conference USA’s more elite passing offenses, including the North Texas Mean Green (4-2, 3-0) this Saturday, Bonner would seem likely to get more snaps as a pass-rusher. Bonner admitted he was still working to get his coach’s trust back after several offside penalties earlier this season.

While Kiffin didn’t shoot down the idea of playing Bonner more on defense, the first-year coach did admit the logistics were tougher with how well the defensive line has played of late.

"We are a little bit stockpiled there," Kiffin said. "I think in the spring, we were a little bit down with some injuries and stuff and some guys have really played well. It’s probably, arguably, our deepest position on the team so it’s kind of hard to break in."