Where PFF ranked Nik Bonitto among returning pass rushers

After a breakout 2020 season for the Sooners, Nik Bonitto sits atop PFF’s returning defensive lineman in 2021.

The Oklahoma Sooners pass rush was a vital part of their team in 2020. On the edge the team deployed Isaiah Thomas, Nik Bonitto, and Ronnie Perkins when he was able to return to the team. In 2021, two of three will return with Perkins heading to the NFL through the draft.

The top returning player on the edge is rush linebacker Nik Bonitto. Last season he led the Sooners defense with 8.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries, despite playing in 10 games. His 11 tackles for loss ranked second on the team.

In 2020, Bonitto emerged as the Sooners’ most dominant pass rusher. He collapsed the pocket from either side of the line on pressure packages. No.11 was lethal off the edge with a quick get off, even more impressive coming from a two-point stance. Traditionally, players rushing standing up, do not have as much initial burst as a three-point stance with a hand positioned in the dirt. However, Bonitto anialated that stigma.

According to PFF, he led the nation in overall pass rush grade (93.6), pass rush win rate (28 percent), and pressure rate generated (25.7 percent). To top it off, he was named a first-team All-American for his production. Now that is quite the resume.

Bonitto was used more on pressure downs in 2020 but still was effective when dropping back into coverage, limiting ball carries from breaking to the second level. He is the whole package. Bonitto’s speed was no match for offensive tackles across from him in the trenches.

In a recent ranking of PFF’s top 10 defensive lineman returning to college in 2021, it is no surprise who popped up at No.1- Nik Bonitto.

Recognition that is well deserved. Bonitto consistently leapt off the tape in 2020. He became a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators forced to game plan around his explosiveness. Even then, no blockers succeeded in containing him. Bonitto is a rare athlete on track to have a stellar 2021 season.