One of the top collegiate pass-rushers in the country and a former St. Thomas Aquinas state champion is heading to the Rockies.

Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto heard his name called by the Denver Broncos to end the second round of the 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas.

Bonitto became the 33rd St. Thomas Aquinas graduate to have been drafted by an NFL team.

“I just had a feeling that if I made it to them, that I would be blessed enough to get picked there,” Bonitto said after being drafted by the Broncos. “That’s what happened.”

Listed at 6 feet 3 and 248 pounds, the outside linebacker heads to Denver after four years with the Sooners. Bonitto started 29 times in 39 games during his time with the program, amassing 117 tackles, 18.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and 24 quarterback hurries.

“My [pass-rush] I feel is one of a kind,” said Bonitto. “I feel like it can definitely add to and complement different guys in the room. Just being able to fit in where I can when it comes to rushing. That is the goal out there.”

A four-star recruit, per 247Sports’ rankings, Bonitto played for the Raiders from 2015 to 2017, helping the school win state titles in his first two seasons. He was named the Broward 8A-6A football defensive player of the year in his final season.

His numbers in last month’s NFL Combine included a 4.54 time in the 40-yard dash and 35.5 vertical jump.

“This is crazy man, how everything happened,” Bonitto said. “Just getting that call. I could not even hold it back. I cannot wait to get to work.”

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