Exclusive Interview: FS Brian Bonner

SDBoltReport.com's Michael Kranzler carries on his series of rookie interviews by going one-on-one with Brian Bonner. The safety out of TCU talks about transitioning from quarterback to safety, answering to the name "Tookey," and learning from the likes of Clinton Hart and Antonio Cromartie. Find out what else Bonner has to say in this Q&A.

Click here for the "Insiders only" portion of this interview, where Bonner opens up about an encounter with fellow TCU alum LaDainian Tomlinson, who told Bonner he has "all the tangibles to play in the NFL." What is Bonner doing to cover his intangible bases? Click here to find out.

Michael Kranzler: What was it like making the transition from high school quarterback to college safety?

Brian Bonner: It was a nerve-racking process, because I have never really just played defense. The transition was stressful because I didn’t want to play DB because I had always been calling the shots and running the offense. But as far as making the transition, I think it was really just stressful letting [playing] quarterback go.

MK: What made you choose to go to TCU over schools like Georgia Tech that were recruiting you?

BB: My mother raised me because my father passed away when I was in fourth grade, so I really didn’t want to leave her. And at the time, I had a cousin – Willie Mack Garza – coaching at TCU, so that made it easier to make my decision.

MK: I heard that your nickname is Tookey. What is the story behind that?

BB: That’s a childhood nickname that my brother started calling me from when I came out the womb, and it just stuck. It traveled with me from my hometown and it's probably going to be around here in San Diego. In my hometown everybody has a nickname, so my brother and them just started calling me Tookey and it stuck with my parents and the neighborhood.

MK: What is it like going from a small town like Beeville, Texas, to a big city like San Diego?

BB: Well, with me being a little bit of a homebody, it really doesn’t make a difference to me because it’s not like I get out and travel a lot. I know the surrounding area around Chargers Park and I don’t need to know anything else about San Diego.

MK: Have any of the veterans started to mentor you yet?

BB: Oh yeah, I’ve got a safety that has been teaching me the defense in Clinton Hart, and also Antonio Cromartie has been helping me out there with making calls. They’ve been taking me under their wings and showing me what it takes to be out there and play on Sundays.

MK: What are your biggest strengths on the field?

BB: I would say that I play the ball well, and I come downhill and make tackles in the open field.

MK: What do you need to improve on most in order to make this team?

BB: Communication, just the verbiage of learning the new defense and not just knowing it, but owning it.

Click here for the "Insiders only" portion of this interview, where Bonner opens up about an encounter with fellow TCU alum LaDainian Tomlinson, who told Bonner he has "all the tangibles to play in the NFL." What is Bonner doing to cover his intangible bases? Click here to find out.