Packers Sign Rookie Receiver Jadakis Bonds

With seventh-round pick Grant DuBose sidelined, the Green Bay Packers have added prolific receiver Jadakis Bonds.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
May 23, 2023 5:22 PM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With rookie receiver Grant DuBose sidelined for the start of OTAs, the Green Bay Packers added Jadakis Bonds to the roster before Tuesday’s practice.

Bonds fills out his No. 6 jersey. He measured 6-foot-3 3/8 and 206 pounds at Liberty's pro day. He’s got 4.63 speed in the 40.

Bonds put up three years of strong production with 70 receptions for 943 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2019, 54 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 (after 2020 was canceled due to COVID) and 49 receptions for 855 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022.

“I am excited for Jadakis and his family as he lives his dream to play in the NFL. He is not only a prolific receiver and dominant player, he was a three-year captain for us,” Hampton coach Robert Prunty said in a school announcement.

“When I think of Jadakis, I think of loyalty. He loves Hampton University and, although he had other opportunities, he stayed here, played here, and graduated from here.”

Prunty was the defensive coordinator at East Carolina, which is where Bonds was slated to play. Poor grades cost Bonds his scholarship. Prunty, who had been named the new head coach at Hampton, quickly called.

“You can clearly see he’s an FBS player,” Prunty said in 2019. “And he’s going to get better and better. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Bonds was selected to the East-West Shrine Game.

“It’s honestly a great feeling coming from Hampton University, an HBCU,” Bonds told Pilot Online. “Just to get a shot at the Shrine Bowl is a feeling I can’t describe. I love playing the game of football and I can’t wait to showcase my talents, not just to the world, but to the coaches and scouts who will be there.”

Bonds ranks third in school history with 180 receptions and 2,731 yards and first with 34 touchdowns. His 2019 production set school records in all three categories.

Towson coach Rob Ambrose thought Bonds might be the best receiver in Colonial Athletic Association history.

“He’s clearly in that class,” he said. “He’s a very, very special player.”

After going undrafted, he spent time with the 49ers and Commanders.

To make room on the roster, the Packers released tight end Nick Guggemos. At age 27, he was the oldest player at the position. A rather incredible story, he caught one pass in his career at Division III St. Thomas.