The Oklahoma Sooners have to get better on defense in 2023. For them to reach their goals, it starts by improving a defense that finished 122nd in the nation in total defense and 99th in scoring defense.
Part of the issue that Oklahoma’s defense faced in 2022 was a lack of depth. No player played more than linebacker Danny Stutsman.
Oklahoma took steps to improve the defense and add depth ahead of their final season in the Big 12 with key transfer portal additions. But in addition to bringing in [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag], and a number of others, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] is banking on the development of his team.
In particular, the Sooners head coach has been pleased with how junior linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] has progressed since his arrival in December of 2021.
“Danny would be the first one to admit that 17 months ago, he wasn’t capable of leading, and he’s in a much different place now,” Venables said at Big 12 media days. “The whole team follows Danny, his emotion, his work, his action. He’s a doer and a giver.”
Stutsman led the Big 12 in tackles and in Pro Football Focus’ stops metric, which considers where the tackle was made in relation to the down and distance. Stutsman had more stops than anyone in the Big 12. it’s easy to forget that it was just Stutsman’s first season as a starter in Oklahoma’s defense after playing a rotational role as a true freshman for Alex Grinch in 2021.
While most rising sophomores get to work on their craft in a defense they are becoming accustomed to, Stutsman had to learn a new scheme with Brent Venables taking over as the head coach. Though 2022 was rough for the defense as a whole, Stutsman, and others, showed flashes throughout the season to provide optimism about what he and the defense can be in 2023.
With several new faces expected to play key roles in Oklahoma’s defense, Stutsman’s leadership and his maturation will play a critical role.
“I love the maturation that’s taking place with him off the field as much as on the field,” Venables said. “His seriousness, his commitment to excellence every day. He’s put the team and the expectations on his back, and I love that.
“A year ago at this time, he couldn’t run a player-run practice. He couldn’t run a player-run walk-through. He wasn’t equipped to do that. I think that’s a reflection of a lot of guys on our team.”
Stutsman’s growth as a player and a leader will be central to Oklahoma’s success in 2023.
“I expect great things from Danny,” Venables said. “He’s long. He’s athletic. He plays fast. He closes to the ball. He’s got tremendous contact speed. He’s got tremendous instincts, got great toughness. He’s worked incredibly hard for the ’23 season. Really excited to see Danny and where he’s at this year.”
And if Danny Stutsman is able to live up to his coach’s expectations in his second year as a starter, it will go a long way to helping the Oklahoma Sooners take a big step defensively in 2023.
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