Nik Bonitto established himself as a key defensive player in the NFL after being named an Under Armour All-American in 2017. He committed to play college football at the University of Oklahoma, where he redshirted his freshman year, playing in three games before becoming a starter at outside linebacker. During his redshirt freshman season, Bonitto recorded 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He continued to develop in his redshirt sophomore season in 2020, achieving 29 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, earning second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press.
He quickly made significant strides in his professional career, particularly during the 2024 season, where his performance elevated him to a prominent defensive force. The 2024 season marked a breakthrough for Bonitto, where he recorded an impressive 13.5 sacks. This achievement made him the first Broncos player since 2018 to reach double-digit sacks in a single season. His dominant play earned him his first Pro Bowl appearance and second-team All-Pro honors, solidifying his status among the league’s elite defenders.
His exceptional contributions led to him being ranked 38th on the prestigious NFL Top 100 Players list in 2025.