OU football: Three things to know about Nik Bonitto for the 2022 NFL Draft

Robb Hibbard, Oklahoman
·2 min read
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OU football linebacker Nik Bonitto is hoping to cap his career as an Oklahoma Sooner by being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft Thursday through Saturday, April 28-30.

The 2022 NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

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Bonitto, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was a consistent starter on the Sooners' defense the past two seasons.

Bonitto, who majored in communication at OU, started in every game the Sooners played in 2020 and 2021.

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Here's some basic information about Nik Bonitto:

  • High school: St. Thomas Aquinas

  • Height: 6-feet, 3-inches

  • Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Here are three things to know about Oklahoma football linebacker Nik Bonitto for the 2022 NFL Draft.

'He’s taken off from then': How Nik Bonitto's interception in OU's 2019 win at Baylor boosted his career

Nik Bonitto is among OU football record-holders

Bonitto, who began his NCAA career with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2018, ranks 13th all-time in quarterback sacks at OU with 13.5 — third-best among linebackers.

He recorded 117 tackles, including 32 for loss, in his 39 career games.

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In 2021, Bonitto was named the Big 12 Defenisve Player of the year by PFF. Other honors he's earned during his OU football career include:

  • Bednarik Award semifinalist

  • All-Big 12 Second Team

  • Academic All-Big 12 Second Team

OU's Nik Bonitto (11) lines up during a 16-13 win against West Virginia on Sept. 25 in Norman.
OU's Nik Bonitto (11) lines up during a 16-13 win against West Virginia on Sept. 25 in Norman.

Nik Bonitto: Savior of the Sooners' 2019 season?

During the 2019 OU football game against Baylor, the Sooners found themselves down 25 points in the second quarter.

OU came back to beat Baylor 34-31, and Bonitto made the key play in the game.

The Sooners had stormed back to take the lead in the game's final two minutes. But the Baylor offense was on the move.

Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer threw in Bonitto's direction. Bonitto, who had dropped a sure interception earlier in the game, didn't let this one get away.

The win — and the OU football season — was preserved.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NFL Draft: Three things to know about Nik Bonitto, OU football