Where does Nik Bonitto rank on PFF's top 10 returning CFB D-lineman?
The men in the trenches do not often get the recognition they deserve, but they set the tone on defense. Whether it be stuffing the run or collapsing the pocket around the opposing quarterback, the big guys at the line of scrimmage free the second and third levels of the defense. Disruptive defensive linemen have the ability to change the outcome of a game with penetration upfront. Many college quarterbacks do not handle pressure well with elusive mobility or effective off-platform throws as does Oklahomas Spencer Rattler. With the evolution and prominence of the passing game, elite edge rushers are vital. Players that can quickly out-leverage tackles with a lethal bend and explosiveness off the edge. Nik Bonitto is arguably the best in college football. From a rush defensive end role, Bonitto notched at least a half-sack in six of OUs final seven games in 2020 with a power/speed combination that annihilated. Entering the 2021 season, PFF ranked the top 10 defensive linemen returning based on several factors including PFF grade and other metrics. No surprise, Bonitto landed at No. 1 on the compilation list for his burst and effectiveness. Bonitto might be the most underrated player in all of college football. The rush-end led all FBS edge defenders in pass-rush grade (93.6), pass-rush win rate (28%) and pressure rate generated (25.7%) in 2020. Among all Power Five edge defenders we have data on since we began grading college seven years ago, Bonitto ranks in the top five in all three metrics. Bonittos explosiveness and athleticism caused headaches for every offensive tackle he faced, and no lineman succeeded in shutting him down in 2020. His lowest win rate in a single game this past year sat at 17.6%  a pretty solid day for most FBS edge rushers. From a two-point stance, Bonitto finished the 2020 season second among Oklahoma defenders with 10.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 quarterback sacks. In a one-on-one matchup at the line of scrimmage, Bonitto was seldom beat. Offensive tackles had no answers or counter moves for his initial punch and Bonitto will look to build off that momentum in 2021. He has helped turn Oklahomas front into not only the most formidable in the Big 12 but across the college football landscape. Come fall, keep your eyes on No. 11. He is a monster off the line but is immensely overlooked with the hype of Lincoln Rileys explosive offense.