Terrell Bonds returns to Tennessee State in 2026 as the Tigers’ cornerbacks coach following a professional playing career that included time in the NFL, CFL, XFL, USFL, UFL and Alliance of American Football.
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Tennessee State from 2014-17, Bonds appeared in 41 games and recorded 95 tackles, 10 interceptions, 20 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two interception returns for touchdowns. As a senior, he led the Tigers with four interceptions in nine games, returning one 36 yards for a touchdown at Eastern Kentucky.
Bonds started all 11 games as a junior in 2016, finishing with 30 tackles, three interceptions and a team-high nine pass breakups. He ranked 43rd nationally with 1.1 passes defended per game. Bonds added 28 tackles, an interception, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble as a sophomore. As a true freshman, he recorded 18 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble while helping TSU lead the OVC in passing defense.
Bonds most recently played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the 2024 and 2025 CFL seasons. He appeared in 26 regular-season games for Winnipeg, recording 46 defensive tackles and one interception. His professional career also included stops with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, San Antonio Brahmas, Pittsburgh Maulers and Birmingham Stallions.
Bonds began his professional career in 2019 with the Memphis Express, recording 14 tackles and returning a blocked punt for a touchdown before signing with the Baltimore Ravens following the shutdown of the Alliance of American Football. He spent parts of two seasons with the Ravens organization and appeared in four games during the 2020 season. Bonds later signed with the Dolphins and Titans before continuing his career across multiple professional leagues.
A Miami, Florida, native, Bonds earned his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State in 2018. He is the proud father of Amare Bonds and Kameron Bonds, who remain a central source of motivation in his coaching career.
