Former Oklahoma Sooners linebacker [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] is in the midst of an excellent 2024 season for the Denver Broncos. The third-year pro has been on a tear lately, and people are beginning to take notice.
Bonitto is currently tied for second in the NFL with nine sacks. He’s just 2.5 sacks behind Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson for the lead league. He had a bit of a slow start to his professional career, but things have definitely clicked for him this year, as he’s getting after opposing passers like few others in the league.
Bonitto was selected by the Broncos in the second round (64th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft after four seasons in Norman.
He started for Oklahoma over his final two and a half years, registering 14.5 sacks over the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Bonitto made the game-sealing play of Oklahoma’s comeback win over the Baylor Bears in Waco in 2019. Trailing 28-3, the Sooners stormed back to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive with a 34-31 win. Bonitto’s interception of Baylor QB Charlie Brewer on the Bears’ final drive ensured that OU would walk away with a victory.
Under former outside linebackers coach Jamar Cain, Bonitto developed into a game-changing pass rusher that’s developed into one of the NFL’s best. He’s recorded 17 sacks over the last two seasons, breaking his mark from a year ago in just 11 games.