:Jonathan Bullard
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jonathan Bullard
| image = Jonathan Bullard.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Bullard in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|22|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Shelby, North Carolina, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 290
| high_school = Crest (Shelby, North Carolina)
| college = Florida (2012–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 72
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2024}})
| status = Active
| highlights =
- Third-team All-American (2015)
- First-team All-SEC (2015)
- First-team Freshman All-SEC (2012)
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 221
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 6.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 8
| pfr = BullJo00
}}
Jonathan Bullard (born October 22, 1993) is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, and has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
Early life
Bullard attended Crest Senior High School in Shelby, North Carolina. As a senior, he had 82 tackles and 16 sacks. Bullard was a five-star recruit and was ranked as the best defensive end in his class.[https://sports.yahoo.com/usf/football/recruiting/player-Jonathan-Bullard-103291 Rivals.com] He committed to the University of Florida to play college football.{{Cite news |last=Hays |first=Chris |date=January 7, 2012 |title=U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Jonathan Bullard commits to Florida Gators |language=en |work=Orlando Sentinel |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/01/07/us-army-all-american-bowl-jonathan-bullard-commits-to-florida-gators/ |access-date=February 5, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Abolverdi |first=Zach |date=January 7, 2012 |title=Florida lands five-star defensive end Bullard |language=en |work=The Gainesville Sun |url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120107/ARTICLES/120109657 |access-date=February 5, 2018 |archive-date=December 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211044941/http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120107/ARTICLES/120109657 |url-status=dead }}
College career
Bullard played in all 13 games and made two starts as a true freshman at Florida in 2012. He had 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2013, he played in 11 games with eight starts and recorded 33 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He started all 12 games and had 52 tackles with 2.5 sacks his junior year in 2014.{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2015 |title=Bullard seeks breakout season as a senior for Gators |language=en-US |work=FOX Sports |url=http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/jonathan-bullard-breakout-season-senior-florida-gators-072815 |access-date=February 5, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Low |first=Chris |date=April 29, 2015 |title=Jonathan Bullard embraces lead Gator role |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/100978/jonathan-bullard-embraces-lead-gator-role |access-date=February 5, 2018}} Bullard returned to Florida his senior season rather than enter the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite news |last=Hack |first=Graham |date=September 30, 2015 |title=With Jonathan Bullard back, Gators defensive line showing some bite |language=en |work=The Florida Times |url=http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/florida-gators/2015-09-30/story/jonathan-bullard-back-florida-defensive-line-showing |access-date=February 5, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=McPherson |first=Jordan |date=October 8, 2015 |title=UF lineman Jon Bullard reaps rewards of returning to help boost Gators' defense |language=en-US |work=OrlandoSentinel.com |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/os-gators-football-1009-20151008-story.html |access-date=February 5, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Abolverdi |first=Zach |date=July 23, 2015 |title=Bullard vying to be picked high in 2016 NFL Draft |language=en |work=The Gainesville Sun |url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150723/ARTICLES/150729858 |access-date=February 5, 2018 |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415014357/http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150723/ARTICLES/150729858 |url-status=dead }}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3
| weight = 285
| dash = 4.93
| ten split = 1.66
| twenty split = 2.82
| shuttle = 4.56
| cone drill = 7.31
| vertical = 32.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 23
| arm span = 33 5/8
| hand span = 10
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Bullard Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jonathan-bullard/32004255-4c36-6378-5352-bcd27f50c265 |access-date=November 18, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Scout Jonathan Bullard College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=122266&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Chicago Bears=
Bullard was drafted in the third round (72nd overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Mayer, Larry |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Bears draft Bullard in third round |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-draft-Bullard-in-third-round/5d1387e5-352a-4a86-97c6-f081f78937d6 |access-date=April 18, 2017 |website=ChicagoBears.com |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419192325/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-draft-Bullard-in-third-round/5d1387e5-352a-4a86-97c6-f081f78937d6 |url-status=dead }} He signed his rookie contract on June 6, 2016.{{Cite news |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=June 6, 2016 |title=Bears ink Bullard to four-year deal |work=Chicago Bears |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-ink-Bullard-to-four-year-deal/8e5d2e48-0453-419a-b45f-8403866516ce |access-date=February 5, 2018}} He made his NFL debut on September 11 against the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |title=Gators in the NFL - Week 1 |url=http://floridagators.com/news/2016/9/12/football-gators-in-the-nfl-week-1.aspx |access-date=February 5, 2018 |website=Florida Gators |language=en}} On October 9, Bullard recorded his first sack of his career, taking down Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck.{{Cite news |last=Mullin |first=John |date=October 12, 2016 |title=First career sack was a chore for Bears rookie Jonathan Bullard |work=NBC Sports Chicago |url=http://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-bears/first-career-sack-was-chore-bears-rookie-jonathan-bullard |access-date=February 5, 2018}} He finished his rookie season with one start in fourteen games, recording eighteen tackles and a sack.
Bullard recorded his first career pass break-up on September 28, 2017, as well as a tackle against the Green Bay Packers. On October 29, he logged his first forced fumble against the New Orleans Saints, stripping running back Mark Ingram II{{Cite news |last=Biggs |first=Brad |date=October 29, 2017 |title='Salty' defense will make Bears interesting the rest of the season |language=en-US |work=chicagotribune.com |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-defense-makes-bears-interesting-biggs-spt-1030-20171029-column.html |access-date=February 5, 2018}} In a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Bullard got his first and only sack of the 2017 season, bringing down quarterback Carson Wentz on November 26.{{Cite news |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=November 26, 2017 |title=Game Recap: Bears blown out by Eagles |work=Chicago Bears |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-gamerecap/Game-Recap-Bears-blown-out-by-Eagles/9c89ada3-024d-4644-b136-c2c763302af4 |access-date=February 5, 2018}} He finished his second season with three starts, recording 26 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups.
Bullard was waived during the final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |title=Bears cut 2016 third-rounder Jonathan Bullard |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/08/31/bears-cut-2016-third-rounder-jonathan-bullard/ |access-date=August 31, 2019 |website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com|date=August 31, 2019 }}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On September 1, 2019, Bullard was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Odegard, Kyle |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Cardinals Claim Defensive Lineman Jonathan Bullard, Four Others |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-claim-defensive-lineman-jonathan-bullard-four-others |website=AZCardinals.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 6, 2019, with a hamstring injury.{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Cardinals claim TE Dan Arnold off waivers, place Jonathan Bullard on IR |url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/05/cardinals-claim-te-dan-arnold-off-waivers-place-jonathan-bullard-on-ir/ |website=Cards Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He finished the season with 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks through nine games and six starts.
On April 3, 2020, Bullard re-signed with the Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Urban, Darren |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Jonathan Bullard, Chris Banjo Return To Cardinals |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/jonathan-bullard-chris-banjo-return-to-cardinals-as-free-agents |website=AZCardinals.com}} On September 5, Bullard was released during final roster cuts.{{Cite web |last=Urban, Darren |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Cardinals Make Final Cuts To Get To Initial 53-Man Roster |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-make-final-cuts-to-get-to-initial-53-man-roster-2020 |website=azcardinals.com}} He was re-signed to the practice squad a day later.{{Cite web |last=Urban, Darren |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Cardinals Build Practice Squad, Including Weaver, Foster |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-build-practice-squad-evan-weaver-d-j-foster-hakeem-butler |website=azcardinals.com}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
On October 7, 2020, Bullard was signed to the active roster of the Seattle Seahawks off the Cardinals' practice squad.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Lauren |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Newcomer Jonathan Bullard looking to make quick impression on Seahawks defense |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article246325155.html |access-date=October 26, 2020}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Seahawks on January 9, 2021,{{Cite news |last=Boyle, John |date=January 9, 2021 |title=Seahawks Place DE Jonathan Bullard On Reserve/COVID-19 List; Elevate Cedrick Lattimore From Practice Squad |work=Seahawks.com |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-place-de-jonathan-bullard-on-reserve-covid-19-list-elevate-cedrick-latt |access-date=February 16, 2021}} and activated on January 21.{{Cite news |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Seahawks' Jonathan Bullard: Returns from COVID list |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/seahawks-jonathan-bullard-returns-from-covid-list/ |access-date=February 16, 2021}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On April 1, 2021, Bullard signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite news |last=Moran, Gaby |date=April 1, 2021 |title=Falcons Re-Sign DE Steven Means, Sign OL Josh Andrews and DT Jonathan Bullard |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/report-falcons-agree-to-terms-with-offensive-lineman-josh-andrews |access-date=April 1, 2021}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On June 2, 2022, Bullard signed with the Minnesota Vikings.{{cite web|title=Vikings Add Jonathan Bullard to Roster|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/jonathan-bullard-roster-signed|website=vikings.com|date=June 2, 2022}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2022.{{cite web|title=Vikings Activate Cameron Dantzler, Sr., & Place Jonathan Bullard on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/cameron-dantzler-ir-injured-activated-roster-moves|website=Vikings.com|date=December 10, 2022}} He was activated on January 7, 2023.
Bullard re-signed with the Vikings on March 21, 2023.{{cite web|title=Jonathan Bullard & Vikings Agree to Terms|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/jonathan-bullard-defensive-lineman-free-agency|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=March 21, 2023}} He played in all 17 games with 14 starts, recording a career-high 44 tackles and two sacks.
On March 13, 2024, Bullard re-signed with the Vikings.{{cite web|title=Vikings Agree to Terms with Defensive Lineman Jonathan Bullard|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/jonathan-bullard-defensive-lineman-agree-to-terms-2024|author=Young, Lindsey|website=Vikings.com|date=March 13, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/jonathan-bullard/ Minnesota Vikings bio]
- [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2015&player_id=331 Florida Gators bio]
{{Bears2016DraftPicks}}
{{Minnesota Vikings roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bullard, Jonathan}}
Category:Sportspeople from Shelby, North Carolina
Category:Players of American football from North Carolina
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Florida Gators football players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Chicago Bears players