Carver’s Deion Bonner commits to sign with Tennessee Volunteers

It appears Deion Bonner, the highly touted cornerback from Carver, is headed to Tennessee to play football for Derek Dooley and the Volunteers.

Bonner’s coach at Carver, Dell McGee, confirmed Monday afternoon that the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Bonner committed to Tennessee over the weekend.

“He has committed. I know he liked his visit and likes the coaches,” McGee said.

In December Bonner, who couldn’t be reached for comment Monday afternoon, said he was seriously considering whether to play for the University of Miami or Arkansas.

“It looks like it’s going to come down to those two,” Bonner said. “I just need to make my visits.”

Bonner visited Knoxville last weekend. Several websites that focus on college football recruiting are reporting Bonner is scheduled to visit Oklahoma this weekend. It’s unclear if he’ll make the trip now.

According to ESPN.com, Bonner visited Tennessee last weekend, is scheduled to visit Oklahoma this weekend and hasn’t made any other official visits.

The Tennessee announcement comes on the heels of the Volunteers hiring Sal Sunseri as their defensive coordinator.

Sunseri had previously recruited Bonner while serving as associate head coach and linebackers coach for Nick Saban at Alabama.

Following his junior season at Carver, Bonner was one of the most sought-after cornerbacks in the country, drawing interest from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, USC, South Carolina and others.

Tennessee currently has the country’s 20th best recruiting class according to ESPNU.

In April Bonner was arrested in Athens and charged in connection with taking iPods and iPhones from inside the University of Georgia’s athletic building valued at around $1,900.

Bonner entered a pre-trial diversion program and underwent counseling and community service.

After serving a five-game suspension following the arrest, Bonner had five interceptions and 53 tackles, including three for a loss for the Tigers in fall 2011.

National signing day is Feb. 1.

Any decision athletes make before signing the letter of intent are not binding.