Nik Bonitto

BONITTO AT A GLANCE:

• An outside linebacker who appeared in 39 career games (30 starts) over four seasons at the University of Oklahoma from 2018-21. 
• Totaled 117 tackles (68 solo), 18.5 sacks (119 yds.), one interception, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries during his career. 
• Finished collegiate career ranked 13th in school history—and third among linebackers—in career sacks (18.5).
• Garnered numerous awards and distinctions following the 2021 season, including Pro Football Focus 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, second-team All-Big 12 honors and semifinalist recognition for the Chuck Bednarik Award. 
• Started all 12 games played in 2021, recording 39 tackles (23 solo), seven sacks (39 yds.), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. 
• Registered 32 tackles (18 solo), eight sacks (44 yds.) and two passes defensed in 10 games played (all starts) in 2020. 
• Appeared in 14 games—starting the final eight—in 2019, posting 43 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks (36 yds.), one interception and four passes defensed.
• Played three games and tallied three tackles in 2018 before being redshirted. 
• Attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale Fla., where he recorded over 140 tackles during his high school career to go along with 17 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. 
• Selected by the Broncos in the second round (64th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

BONITTO AT A GLANCE:

• An outside linebacker who appeared in 39 career games (30 starts) over four seasons at the University of Oklahoma from 2018-21. 
• Totaled 117 tackles (68 solo), 18.5 sacks (119 yds.), one interception, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries during his career. 
• Finished collegiate career ranked 13th in school history—and third among linebackers—in career sacks (18.5).
• Garnered numerous awards and distinctions following the 2021 season, including Pro Football Focus 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, second-team All-Big 12 honors and semifinalist recognition for the Chuck Bednarik Award. 
• Started all 12 games played in 2021, recording 39 tackles (23 solo), seven sacks (39 yds.), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. 
• Registered 32 tackles (18 solo), eight sacks (44 yds.) and two passes defensed in 10 games played (all starts) in 2020. 
• Appeared in 14 games—starting the final eight—in 2019, posting 43 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks (36 yds.), one interception and four passes defensed.
• Played three games and tallied three tackles in 2018 before being redshirted. 
• Attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale Fla., where he recorded over 140 tackles during his high school career to go along with 17 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. 
• Selected by the Broncos in the second round (64th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

2021: Bonitto started all 12 games played in 2021, recording 39 tackles (23 solo) seven sacks (39 yds.), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries... Named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by PFF... Awarded All-Big 12 second-team honors by league coaches and media... Selected as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is an honor given to college football's most outstanding defensive player.

2020: Bonitto registered 32 tackles (18 solo), eight sacks (44 yds.), and two passes defensed in 10 games played (all starts)... Was a PFF first-team selection and was a second-team Associated Press All American... Named an academic All-Big 12 second-team honoree... Credited by PFF with the nation's top pressure rate (25.7%) while ranking first in pass-rush grade (93.5) among 257 edge rushers.

2019: Bonitto appeared in all 14 games, starting the final eight... Totaled 43 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks (36 yds.), one interception and four passes defensed... Garnered six tackles on kickoffs which tied for second on the team.

2018: Bonitto saw action in three games and made three tackles before being redshirted for the remainder of the season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Bonitto attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), where he recorded over 140 tackles during his high school career to go along with 17 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries... Touted as ESPN's No. 197 overall recruit in the country and the seventh ranked outside linebacker... Named an Under Armour All-American.

PERSONAL: Bonitto majored in communication at Oklahoma... Nik Bonitto (pronounced: bo-NEE-toe) was born on Sept. 26, 1999.