The Lions Continues To Reel In Unheralded Talent: Meet ATH Rony Bourdeau

By Jerry Williamson

The Lions football program is certainly clawing the competition with back-to-back state appearances and contributions from unheralded transfers (without scholarships) that will suit up for college football conferences: ACC, Sun Belt, Big Ten this upcoming fall. The next unheralded transfer to explode on the recruiting radar is all-around sophomore athlete Rony Bourdeau (a transfer from Charles W. Flanagan) who's extremely physical for someone at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds. Bourdeau, the younger brother of Army's freshman cornerback Javhari Bourdeau, made a splash for the Lions recording 30 solo tackles and causing one fumble. 

While displaying his versatility -- starting at cornerback, nickel, safety, and special teams. Bourdeau was targeted 21 times on the season and allowed 3 catches. The 3rd team all-county selection, admits covering classmates Johnquai Lewis and Mark Britt, who combines for 20 FBS scholarships, helps sharpen his game everyday in practice. 

If covering a University of Miami (FL) commit is not enough. How about covering countless FBS wide receivers during practice for the Florida Fire?  

As the starter for Florida Fire 8, which is the elite team, Bourdeau plays the most challenging position on the field at nickel. His recent efforts helped Florida Fire secured the Pylon Championship. This past weekend, Bourdeau displayed his next level athleticism at the Miami Nike Opening. Bourdeau clocked a 4.65 (90 percentile) electronically timed forty-yard dash and leaped 33.5 (92 percentile) as just a sophomore, which is amazing. Bourdeau is hoping to spark the interest of college football programs as he enters spring football. 

The Lions plan to use the speedster on offense this upcoming season, and display his ability after the catch. Bourdeau (weighing 165 pounds) has strength, along with speed and explosion. He recently, maxed out at 255 lbs. (bench press) and squated 375 lbs. Bourdeau fits the student-athlete pitch, sporting an incredible 3.75 GPA.