From the Bench: A Breakdown of WVU's Redshirt Frosh Trio from Bridgeport Courtesy of Tony Gibson
By Jeff Toquinto on March 05, 2017 from Sports Blog
A few weeks ago, I talked with West Virginia University Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson about his decades-long friendship with Bridgeport resident Chris George. After we talked for about 15 minutes on his college football friend, I figured since I had a solo 
audience with Gibson it was a good chance to ask him a question.
So I fired away hoping he’d respond. And he didn’t even hesitate.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, and maybe ever, there are three former Bridgeport High School athletes on the WVU football roster. They were all 2016 graduates and all were redshirted this past year for the Mountaineers.
Just in case there is someone out there who doesn’t follow the Tribe on the gridiron or isn’t sure who that is, here’s a quick refresher. Gibson was talking about scholarship player Dylan Tonkery and preferred walk-ons Elijah Drummond and Dante Bonamico.
Tonkery was good enough that up until the first few games of the season that Coach Dana Holgorsen had him ready to go if depth 
became an issue. He eventually redshirted him along with Drummond and Bonamico, which is almost a certainty for walk-on players.
became an issue. He eventually redshirted him along with Drummond and Bonamico, which is almost a certainty for walk-on players.
Gibson spoke about all three. In fact, he spoke glowingly about all three of the players. And he started with the “legacy” players in Tonkery.
“He’s a kids that’s going to play for us,” said Gibson. “We redshirted him because we ended up having enough players to compete this past year where he’s at, but he’s looking at a new position as compared to high school.”
That new position will be at linebacker. In other words, he’s arriving like his older brother Wes at defensive back and being moved to linebacker.
“He’s going to be a lot like Wes and that’s not a bad thing. He’s up to 220 pound, moving well, looks solid and is having a great offseason,” said Gibson. “The strength coaches have been raving about him. That will suit him well because we’ve got him at the Will linebacker spot because he’s got some athleticism to him.”
Next up is Dante Bonamico. Bonamico, the winner of the “Carl Lee Award” as the state’s top defensive back in 2015, is a lot like Gibson was back in his day 
– a bit undersized, but tenacious. That fact hasn’t been lost on Gibson.
– a bit undersized, but tenacious. That fact hasn’t been lost on Gibson.
“If he were 6-foot tall he would have been recruited by everyone in the country,” said Gibson. “He’s a great athlete and plays hard. Hopefully, this year he’ll contribute at defense or special teams.”
Bonamico has earned a nickname as well. Those at practice call him “muskrat,” which is for a smaller a ferocious animal.
“You watch him and he’s running around out there in practice, making plays and it reminds you of Justin Arndt, which is good because a lot of people said he wouldn’t compete because he was undersized and he started,” said Gibson. “He was told that his whole life and he ends up having a helluva senior year.”
While Bonamico won’t be playing at linebacker, Gibson said he sees him at 
safety. He also sees him getting a lot of reps on special teams.
safety. He also sees him getting a lot of reps on special teams.
Then there’s Elijah Drummond. The coaches call him “Do Right,” which is because he apparently does everything right in practice when he and his two BHS teammates and others were running the scout team drills to prepare the first team for games. The irony is that Drummond’s nickname is a result of one of the team’s top players.
“(Running back) Justin Crawford called him that and it fits and that’s why we call him that,” said Gibson. “He’s a workhorse,” said Gibson. “I got to work with him a lot because of him running scout team.”
So where does Gibson see Drummond at in the future?
“I can tell you that he’s going to play for us at West Virginia,” said Gibson. “He’s one of those kids that West Virginia means a lot to and that flying WV symbolizes something to him. I think you’ll see him eventually getting snaps at fullback or an H-back type of player.”
Not too bad. Three BHS players, all redshirt freshman, and all with a chance to make their mark for the Mountaineers. Don’t take my word for it. Take Tony Gibson’s word for it.
Editor's Note: Top, submitted photo, show the BHS freshman at this year's Russell Athletic Bowl in Florida, while Tony Gibson is shown on the sidelines of a regular season game. Pictured, from top to bottom, are Dylan Tonkery, Dante Bonamico, and Elijah Drummond. Bottom three photos courtesy of WVU Sports Communications.
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