Nik Bonitto Explained

Nik Bonitto
Current Team:Denver Broncos
Number:42
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:26 September 1999
Birth Place:Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:240
High School:St. Thomas Aquinas
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
College:Oklahoma (2018–2021)
Draftyear:2022
Draftround:2
Draftpick:64
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:44
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:9.5
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:2
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:2
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Pfr:B/BoniNi00

Nikolas Bonitto (born September 26, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma.

Early years

Bonitto grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He was named an Under Armour All-American as a senior.[1] Bonitto was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Oklahoma over offers from Texas and Louisville.[2] He is of Cuban, Jamaican and Haitian descent.[3]

College career

Bonitto played in three games as a true freshman before using a redshirt on the season.[4] He became a starter at outside linebacker six games into his redshirt freshman season and finished the year with 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.[5] [6] [7] As a redshirt sophomore, he recorded 29 tackles with ten tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks and was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.[8] Bonitto repeated as a second-team All-Big 12 selection after finishing his redshirt junior season with 39 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and one forced fumble. Following the conclusion of the regular season, he announced his decision to forgo his redshirt senior season and enter the 2022 NFL draft as well as opt out of the 2021 Alamo Bowl.[9]

Professional career

Bonitto was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 64th pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.[10] The Broncos used the selection previously obtained from the Los Angeles Rams in a trade for Von Miller.

After starting the 2023 season as a backup, Bonitto started over Randy Gregory in the Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears. He recorded 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble that led to a scoop and score by Jonathon Cooper in the game. Gregory was traded soon after and Bonitto was named the starter.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Furones . David . January 4, 2018 . St. Thomas' Nik Bonitto commits to Oklahoma, has already signed with the Sooners . May 27, 2023 . Sun Sentinel.
  2. Web site: Nathan . Alec . January 4, 2018 . 4-Star DE Prospect Nik Bonitto Commits to Oklahoma over Louisville, Texas . May 27, 2023 . Bleacher Report.
  3. Web site: 'Baby Feet' Bonitto had good feeling about Broncos from earlier visit. May 2, 2022. KUSA.com.
  4. Web site: Palmateer . Tyler . October 21, 2019 . Nik Bonitto's growth key as OU deals with injury at outside linebacker . May 27, 2023 . Norman Transcript.
  5. Web site: Helmer . Joey . September 9, 2020 . Bonitto enters fall ready to build on growth from last season . May 27, 2023 . 247sports.com.
  6. Web site: Kersey . Jason . December 27, 2019 . How Oklahoma finally made inroads at powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, Joe Castiglione’s prep alma mater . May 27, 2023 . The Athletic.
  7. Web site: Aber . Ryan . November 19, 2020 . OU football: Nik Bonitto's versatilty figures to be a big asset for Sooners in Bedlam . May 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman.
  8. Web site: Aber . Ryan . December 27, 2020 . AP All-America football team 2020: Tulsa's Zaven Collins makes first-team, OU's Nik Bonitto second-team . May 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman.
  9. Web site: Coyle . R.J. . December 6, 2021 . Oklahoma LB Nik Bonitto opts out of Alamo Bowl, declares for NFL draft . December 7, 2021 . The Dallas Morning News.
  10. Web site: DiLalla . Aric . April 29, 2022 . Broncos select OLB Nik Bonitto with 64th-overall pick . May 27, 2023 . DenverBroncos.com.