A steady Iowa State center who earned All-Big 12 recognition in his final college season before signing with the Dolphins.
Jim Bonifas anchored the Iowa State offensive line as a redshirt senior in 2025, capping a college career that included stretches as both a starter and a reserve. He signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent immediately after the 2026 NFL Draft, entering as depth behind starting center Aaron Brewer.
Path to the league
Bonifas started all 13 games at center for Iowa State in 2023 before working primarily as a reserve lineman in 2024, then returned to a full-time starting role as a redshirt senior in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Dolphins shortly afterward.
Career highlights
Bonifas's most decorated season came as a redshirt senior in 2025, when he started all 12 games at center for the Cyclones and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors. At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he was among six Iowa State players to sign NFL free agent deals after the 2026 draft.
2025 season recap
Bonifas started all 12 games at center for Iowa State in 2025, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition for his play in the middle of the Cyclones' offensive line. That performance helped him land an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins, where he now competes for depth snaps behind Aaron Brewer.
Sources
- ESPN: Jim Bonifas
- Iowa State Athletics: Six Cyclones Agree To Deals With NFL Teams
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Center
- Group
- offense
- College
- Iowa State
- Hometown
- Dubuque, IA, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
Team
