Former Army defensive lineman Kwabena Bonsu’s football dreams are continuing in the United Football League.
The league, which combined the USFL with XFL for this spring, announced the signing of Bonsu and four other players Monday. Bonsu was added to the San Antonio Brahmas roster.
Less than two months ago, Bonsu reached out to general managers of UFL teams via an introductory message with some highlight tape. Recently, San Antonio general manager Marc Lillibridge contacted Bonsu to take a conditioning test and after passing was offered a spot on the Brahmas’ roster.
”I’ve kind of been on Cloud Nine,” Bonsu said on the latest edition of the Black Knight Nation podcast. “It doesn’t feel real. We start training camp on Saturday. I’m flying down Friday down to Texas Friday and we are going to hit the ground running. The season starts on March 30. I’m ready to get back after it and show the world what I got as a football player.”
Bonsu, who is 6-foot-4, 283 pounds, was invited and participated in Jacksonville Jaguars rookie minicamp in May 2023. He made 127 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks in five seasons (2018-22) for Army.
Bonsu said former Army teammates and current NFL players Elijah Riley, Cole Christiansen, Jon Rhattigan and Andre Carter were inspirations for him to pursue professional football. And, Bonsu hopes to be an example for current Army football players.
”I remember my freshman year when we won the CIC (Commander in Chief’s trophy) and we we went to the White House and Elijah Riley was talking to President Trump and he was the one that brought up the idea of letting service academy players go pro,” Bonsu said. “Elijah Riley has been one of the biggest influences in me wanting to pursue this. Being at West Point and having that idea that you can’t go pro and seeing Eli and Cole go pro. And, seeing Rhattigan having one of the best seasons as a linebacker at Army and seeing him work with the Seahawks. Andre and me worked game and running stunts all season.
”I try to keep up with these guys as much as I can. They all reached out to me when the news broke. Seeing how successful they are and how they are able to get to that next level was really a huge inspiration for me and I’m hoping to influencing and inspiring the younger guys that are still on the team. We have a couple of guys getting ready for their Pro Day. Just letting them know if you got what it takes, you are going to get opportunities.”
Listen to our podcast for more on Bonsu’s signing and Army football career.
