Four Star Linebacker Nik Bonnito Commits to Oklahoma, Schwartz to Auburn


by Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

The Broward 8A-6A defensive player of the year Nik Bonnito announced Thursday that he would commit to the University of Oklahoma.  The standout linebacker from St. Thomas Aquinas made the announcement during the Under Armour All-American game in Orlando.  Bonnito received offers from over 20 D-1 schools including Texas, Louisville, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and Miami.  Oklahoma currently hold the 10th best recruiting class according to 247 sports.  Head Coach Lincoln Riley of the Sooners gets his second player from South Florida.  Miguel Edwards CB, from Deerfield Beach signed during the early signing period in December.

“Coach Riley’s really building something special over there,” said Bonnito with his family in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2.  “Just to be a part of that is a blessing in itself and I can’t wait to be a part of that for the next three to four years.”

Bonnito completed his senior season with 73 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two interceptions (one of those he would return for a touchdown).  He had huge game against national power St. John Bosco where he had 11 tackles and a sack.  He also had a breakout game against an Arizona Centennial team where he had 15 tackles in 12-0 loss.

High school teammates Asante Samuel Jr., Al Blades Jr. and Elijah Moore joined Bonnito in the All-American game. Samuels, Blades and Moore signed to Florida State, Miami and Ole Miss respectively during the early signing period in December.  

Undeclared commits that participated in the All-American game included five star players Nicholas Petit-Frere OT, Berkley Prep (Tampa, FL) and Devon Williams WR, Antelope Valley (CA).  

Undeclared four star players included Olaijah Griffin CB, Mission Viejo (CA), Jacob Copeland WR, Escambia (Pensacola, FL), Justyn Ross WR, Phenix City Central (AL),  JaMarr Chase WR, Archbishop Rummel (LA), Joshua Moore WR, Yoakum (TX), Justin Watkins WR, East Ridge (Clermont, FL),  Dylan Wonnum OT, Tucker (GA), Merlin Robertson LB, Junipero Serra (CA), and Tommy Bush WR, Samuel Clemens (TX).

Anthony Schwartz who also played in the Under Armour All-American game, committed to Auburn over Florida also on Thursday.  Schwartz is considered to be the fastest man out of the state of Florida and will join fellow Florida boys on the plains at Auburn.  Running back and state champion Shaun Shivers and 6’4,” 232 pound quarterback Joey Gatewood have already signed with Tigers.

Other players also committed on Thursday night.

Four star Jayson Oweh DE, Blair Academy (NJ) committed to Penn State.

Four star Tyreke Smith DE, Cleveland Heights (OH) committed to Ohio State.

Remaining commits are set to sign on national signing day.  National signing day is set for Wednesday February 7th.

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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