NORMAN — Oklahoma outside linebacker Nik Bonitto picked up his second 2021 All-America honor Tuesday morning when he was named a second-team selection by Sporting News.
 
Bonitto, who was named to the Associated Press All-America Third Team on Monday, started all 12 games during the regular season and led the Sooners with 15.0 tackles for loss to go with 7.0 sacks and 39 tackles. He also registered three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and nine QB hurries. The redshirt junior was a Bednarik Award semifinalist, earned second-team All-Big 12 honors and was Pro Football Focus' Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
 
A Fort Lauderdale, Fla., product, Bonitto registered at least a half a sack in six games this season and at least 1.5 tackles for loss seven times. He notched 6.0 TFLs and 2.5 sacks over the final three contests of the regular season. Against Nebraska, he tallied a career-high three TFLs, along with 2.0 sacks and five total stops. His 70-yard fumble return at Kansas State was a school record.
 
For his career, Bonitto has totaled 117 tackles, 32.0 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 24 QB hurries and eight pass breakups (39 games and 29 starts over the last three seasons). He ranks third at OU in career sacks by a linebacker and 13th in career sacks at any position. Among linebackers, he sits behind only Eric Striker (23.0 sacks from 2012-15) and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (21.0 sacks from 2014-17), who played four years.
 
No. 16/14/13 Oklahoma (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) plays No. 14/15/15 Oregon (10-3, 7-2 Pac-12) in Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. CT on ESPN.