When it came to creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2020, the Oklahoma Sooners had one of the best groups in the country. Nik Bonitto was at the top of the list according to Pro Football Focus‘ pass rush productivity. In fact, he had the highest number of anyone in the Big 12 Conference. His number sitting at 14.6, teammate Ronnie Perkins was third in the conference at 10.3.
When you compare them to Power Five schools, Bonitto was second among the 64 schools that make up the Power Five. Perkins came in at No. 11 overall. Isaiah Thomas didn’t rank as high against all 64 teams but he was fifth amongst the Big 12 Conference. He and Bonitto should be major factors in the Big 12 Conference in 2021.
When it came to pressure percentage, Bonitto and Perkins were top four in the country. The former coming in at No. 1 according to PFF.
Highest pressure % against power five OLs last season:
1. Nik Bonitto – 26%
2. Tyreke Smith – 22%
3. Azeez Ojulari – 21%
4. Ronnie Perkins – 19% pic.twitter.com/C8ZEhH44m2— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 13, 2021
For the Oklahoma defense that has questions in their secondary, the pass rush will be key in 2021. Tre Brown, Tre Norwood, and possibly Brendan Raley-Hiles could all be gone. The only question is Raley-Hiles since both Brown and Norwood declared for the NFL draft. The former placed himself in the transfer portal and head coach Lincoln Riley is hoping he can convince him to stay for another year.
The defense seems to have plenty of impact players on the edge of the line. Perrion Winfrey, Laron Stokes, and Jalen Redmond will all return next year and should make their impact on the interior. Winfrey posted 25 hurries a season ago which was second only to Bonitto and Thomas.