Ourlads' Profile:
2022 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about NIK BONITTO:
Oklahoma, 6030 248 4.54. Junior entry, three-year starter, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Second-team All-Big 12 and Pro Football Focus Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Primarily a 3-4 outside linebacker with some experience backed off. High energy player with a quick first step and burst in chase mode. Outstanding agility, he is sudden and precise when changing directions. Strong with his hands he flashes edge setting ability with a quick strike to separate from a block. At his best slipping blocks laterally. Maintains pad level and has excellent side to side movement chasing down perimeter runs. Can quickly work laterally across the line to make plays in backside pursuit. Has range to chase across the field. As a pass rusher his quickness gets him around the corner with bend and ability to flatten to adjust to movement. Outstanding second effort he keeps working to get to the ball. Flashes a sudden inside counter move. Has some experience in coverage and shows zone awareness working under intermediate routes and breaking quickly on the short throw. Solid form tackling skill he gathers and drives through tackles. Adjusts well in space and maintains leverage on ball carriers. Powerful blockers can engulf and stalemate him if he doesn’t win with first step quickness. Can get turned out on the edge too easily as his quickness doesn’t always turn into power. Could add more to his pass rush moves as he relies too much on getting around the corner and second effort. Needs more strength to be a full-time edge defender. Lacks ideal length of an edge rusher and his size could project him to an off the ball linebacker. He will provide rotational pass rush early in his career and has solid special team tools.
2021 stats: 39 T, 15 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 PBU, 9 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR. Edge speed:left 2.07, right 2.44. OSR:8/36. Third/fourth round. (A-32 1/2, H-9 3/8, BP-DNP, 10-1.54).