• A third-year outside linebacker who has appeared in 30 games (5 starts) for the Broncos from 2022-23, recording 43 tackles (28 solo), 9.5 sacks (71.0 yds.), two passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
• Made 15 appearances (4 starts) in 2023, recording career highs in tackles (30), sacks (8), sack yards (57.5), passes defensed (2) and also forced one fumble.
• Posted 13 tackles (5 solo), 1.5 sacks (13.5 yds.) and forced one fumble in his rookie year during the 2022 season.
• Appeared in 39 career games (30 starts) over four seasons at the University of Oklahoma from 2018-21.
• Totaled 117 tackles (68 solo), 18.5 sacks (119 yds.), one interception, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries during collegiate career.
• Finished his collegiate career ranked 13th in school history—and third among linebackers—in career sacks (18.5).
• Garnered numerous awards and distinctions following the 2021 season, including Pro Football Focus 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, second-team All-Big 12 honors and semifinalist recognition for the Chuck Bednarik Award.
• Started all 12 games played in 2021, recording 39 tackles (23 solo), seven sacks (39 yds.), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
• Registered 32 tackles (18 solo), eight sacks (44 yds.) and two passes defensed in 10 games played (all starts) in 2020.
• Appeared in 14 games—starting the final eight—in 2019, posting 43 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks (36 yds.), one interception and four passes defensed.
• Played three games and tallied three tackles in 2018 before being redshirted.
• Attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he recorded over 140 tackles during his high school career to go along with 17 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
• Selected by the Broncos in the second round (64th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Signed by Denver as a draft choice 5/12/22.
2023: Bonitto made 15 appearances (4 starts), recording career highs in tackles (30), sacks (8), sack yards (57.5), passes defensed (2) and also forced one fumble... Recorded his first sack of the season vs. Was. (9/17), bringing down Commanders QB Sam Howell for an eight-yard loss... Made a career-high six tackles (4 solo) along with two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit at Mia. (9/24)... Set a career-high 2.5 sacks (25 yds.)—including a strip sack on Bears QB Justin Fields that was recoverd by OLB Jonathon Cooper for a game-tying score—and made four tackles (3 solo) in the 21-point comeback win at Chi. (10/1)... His strip sack caused the first Broncos' scoop-and-score since S Kareem Jackson's score at Hou. (12/8) in 2019... Totaled 2.0 sacks (10 yds.) along with two solo tackles vs. NYJ (10/8)... Became the first Bronco since OLB Malik Reed in 2020 to record at least 2.0 sacks in back-to-back games... Picked up his first career pass defensed while also registering four quarterback hurries in the win vs. K.C. (10/29)... Batted down one pass, notched 1.5 sacks (6.5 yds.) and also helped DE Zach Allen record a safety in the win vs. Cle. (11/26)... Sacked Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell for an eight-yard loss at L.V. (1/7).
2022: Bonitto appeared in 15 games (1 start) with the Broncos after being drafted in the second round (64th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, recording 13 tackles (5 solo), 1.5 sacks (13.5 yds.) and one forced fumble... Made his first career tackle in his NFL debut vs. S.F. (9/25)... Tallied his first career sack vs. NYJ (10/23), bringing down Jets QB Zach Wilson with the help of DL Mike Purcell... Tallied his first strip sack on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and added two solo tackles at Jac. (10/30)... Made his first career start at K.C. (1/1).
COLLEGE: Bonitto totaled 117 tackles (68 solo), 18.5 sacks (119 yds.), one interception, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries during his career at Oklahoma... Awarded All-Big 12 second team honors after starting all 12 games played in 2021, recording 39 tackles (23 solo) seven sacks (39 yds.), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries... Was a PFF first team selection and was a second-team Associated Press All American as a junior when he registered 32 tackles (18 solo), eight sacks (44 yds.), and two passes defensed in 10 games played (all starts)... Appeared in all 14 games as a sophomore, starting the final eight... Totaled 43 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks (36 yds.), one interception and four passes defensed.
PERSONAL: Bonitto attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he recorded over 140 tackles during his high school career to go along with 17 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries... Touted as ESPN's No. 197 overall recruit in the country and the seventh ranked outside linebacker... Named an Under Armour All-American... Majored in communication at Oklahoma... Nik Bonitto (pronounced: bo-NEE-toe) was born on Sept. 26, 1999 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
