Whether you consider him a linebacker or an edge rusher, the reality remains that Nik Bonitto is one of the best players on the Oklahoma Sooners defense and in the country.
Bonitto’s gotten better each year he’s been with the Sooners. He’s seen his sack totals grow from zero his freshman year to 3.5 in 2019 to nine in 2020, according to College Football Reference. Heading into 2021, Bonitto ranks among the best defenders in the country.
247Sports’ Austin Nivison took a look at the top 10 defensive playmakers in college football and where they rank heading into the 2021 season.
4. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma Sooners
If Oklahoma’s defense is going to keep trending in the right direction, Bonitto will have to keep up his efforts from the 2020 season. The Sooners linebacker evolved into a dominant pass rusher by racking up 9.0 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss. Bonitto thrived within the system of new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, so it’s exciting to think about what he could do this fall. The Sooners will once again be favorites to reach the College Football Playoff, and a strong defense led by Bonitto could put them over the top. – Nivison
If the trend holds, Bonitto will improve upon his production from 2020 and threaten for double-digit sacks in 2021. He might have had double-digit sacks in 2020, but COVID-19 shortened the season considerably. The Sooners played just one non-conference game and had their matchup with West Virginia canceled.
A full slate in 2021 should lead to more than 10 sacks, and we could see Bonitto threaten for 20 tackles for loss.
Whatever the production ends up being, Nik Bonitto is in for a big year as the Oklahoma Sooners look to contend for a national championship.
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