Tag: Danny Stutsman

Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman Pro Football Focus highest-graded run defender

OU’s leading tackler is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded linebacker in the country against the run this season.

Oklahoma Sooners senior inside linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] will play in the final home game of his excellent college football career on Saturday, when OU hosts Alabama.

Stutsman’s four seasons in Norman have seen him come to the forefront of OU’s defensive transformation under third-year head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]. He’s become the vocal and emotional heartbeat of the Sooners over the last couple of years.

Stutsman has raised his level of play again in 2024, spearheading the best defense Oklahoma has had in a long time. He’s been particularly great at stopping the run. Pro Football Focus has recognized this as well, as they have Stutsman as their highest-graded linebacker in the nation when it comes to run defense.

Despite OU’s 5-5 campaign, the defense has rarely been the source of the problems, and even when they have, it’s normally been against the pass. The Sooners stop the run well, obviously led by No. 28.

Stutsman could have left the program when Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch bolted for USC after the 2021 regular season. He instead decided to stay and help turn things around under Venables.

After last season, he could have jumped to the NFL, and would have likely been picked fairly early. He instead decided to stick around and lead the program into the SEC.

Though the wins haven’t come this year, and the season hasn’t gone the way anyone has expected, Stutsman certainly isn’t to blame for that. He’ll likely end up as OU’s leading tackler for the third season in a row, and he’s now moved into the top 10 all-time at Oklahoma in career tackles with 363 and counting.

One of the greatest defensive players of the past decade at Oklahoma will get one more outing in front of his home fans on Owen Field when the Sooners face the Crimson Tide in Week 13.

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Oklahoma Sooners captains against Alabama Crimson Tide

The Sooners will be represented by some of their veterans on Senior Day in Norman.

The Oklahoma Sooners will be back at home this week for their final home game of the 2024 season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It’ll be Senior Day in Norman, as plenty of veteran stalwarts will be playing their final game on Owen Field.

OU head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] announced his game captains for this [autotag]SEC[/autotag] tilt. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive backs [autotag]Billy Bowman Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] will represent the Sooners for this key contest.

Arnold will be a captain for the second straight game after a dismal performance against Missouri. His fumble at the end allowed the Tigers to win a comeback on their home field. Arnold’s standing as a captain would seem to indicate that he’s still Venables’ starter at quarterback.

Everett has become OU’s starting center, taking control of the job after getting healthy in the middle of the season. He’s one of the few veterans still healthy on the offensive line, surrounded by portal acquisitions and youth up front.

Downs is a steady presence at defensive end for the Sooners. He isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s always in the right place. He’s grown into a solid leader and clutch player for Venables over the last three seasons.

Stutsman is the heart and soul of this team. He’s the vocal leader and the enforcer at inside linebacker in the middle of the defense. He’ll play one more game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and his career in the crimson and cream has been excellent.

Bowman Jr. is another player who decided to return to school this past offseason, turning down a chance at the pros. If Oklahoma is makes a bowl game, it’ll likely be Bowman making a pivotal play to get them there. His scoop and score against Mizzou should have given the Sooners their sixth win two weeks ago.

Washington is the longest-tenured player on the team, having been a Sooner since 2019. He’s seen it all over his six years in Norman and is a respected veteran voice in a young locker room.

The senior group of Downs, Stutsman, Bowman and Washington are the only four defensive players that remain from the Lincoln Riley-Alex Grinch era at Oklahoma. They have been here for the transformation of OU’s defense over the last three seasons and have a huge hand in what that side of the ball looks like today.

As the season winds to a close for the Sooners, the coaching staff will clearly be looking to Arnold and the veterans to pave the way for Oklahoma to try to upset Alabama.

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Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman has ‘no doubt’ in Brent Venables

Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman confident in Brent Venables.

The 2024 season has taken a bit of the shine off of Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables. After going 10-3 in 2023, the Sooners’ final season in the Big 12, Oklahoma’s inaugural season in the SEC hasn’t gone according to plan.

But the Oklahoma Sooners are still behind Venables as they look to finish the season strong with games against Alabama and LSU remaining on the docket. Oklahoma administrators Joseph Harroz and Joe Castiglione offered votes of confidence for the Sooners head coach earlier this week. One of the most important players on the team, [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], is still a believer, too.

“Obviously, I have no doubt (in Venables),” Stutsman said after practice Wednesday via The Oklahoman. “The people here, the staff has no doubt. You guys talked to the president, there’s no doubt. Obviously, there’s something right that Coach Venables does where everyone that’s close around him and sees him every day, they have no, they have unwavering faith in Coach Venables.”

Danny Stutsman has taken his game to another level, just as the defense has every year under Venables. The Sooners’ defense has given the Sooners opportunities to stay in some games, but the offense hasn’t been consistent enough to take advantage of the defense’s progression.

Venables has done a really good job on the recruiting trail, putting together a trio of top 10 classes in his first three cycles, and has the 2025 class just outside the top 10.

Until this year, the Sooners offense had been fine. Even with some of the shortcomings, Oklahoma averaged 32.8 points per game in 2022 and 41.7 points per game in 2023. This year, they’ve taken a drastic step back amid a plethora of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play and are averaging just 25.1 points per game. That’s their lowest per game scoring average since the Sooners averaged 26.9 points per game in 2005. That was the year Rhett Bomar started at quarterback and you had Adrian Peterson run for 1,104 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Sooners have, more often than not, had good offense over the last 25 years. So there’s no reason to expect the Sooners won’t be able to return their offense back to a place of respectability.

Brent Venables has a huge offseason ahead of him. The next offensive coordinator will define his legacy at OU. He made a good hire with Jeff Lebby and did so with Zac Alley. Though his most recent coordinator hire didn’t work out, Venables will have the support of the administration to be aggressive in the coordinator marketplace as the end of the season approaches.

Kickoff time, TV information announced for Oklahoma-Alabama

Oklahoma will host Alabama under the lights in their final home game of the season.

The Oklahoma Sooners will play their penultimate game of the 2024 season next week, after their upcoming bye week. With OU fielding their worst team since the John Blake years in the late 1990s, one might hope that the Sooners could go quietly about their business of losing and avoid the spotlight, before the offseason.

However, that won’t be the case. OU’s home finale will come against Alabama on Owen Field, and the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] has decided to put the game in primetime.

It’ll be a 6:30 p.m. kickoff in Norman for the Sooners and the Crimson Tide on Saturday November 23rd, and the game will broadcast on ABC in front of a nationally-televised audience.

It’s another bad break in a season full of them for Oklahoma, as the entire country will be able to tune in to watch [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] against a red hot Alabama Crimson Tide.

At the very least, it’ll be one final opportunity for seniors like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] to play in their home stadium. Both players deserved better than what they got this season, but hopefully they will be celebrated one last time at home.

Oklahoma Sooners captains against Missouri Tigers

The Sooners will be led by some of the biggest names on the team as captains against the Tigers.

The Oklahoma Sooners take the road this week, heading to Columbia, Missouri as they jump back into [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play. The 5-4 Sooners will look to win their second straight game, as they’ll visit the Missouri Tigers for a primetime battle away from home.

OU head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has announced his game captains for this conference tilt, and his team will be represented by some of the biggest names on the roster in a pivotal contest. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Billy Bowman Jr.[/autotag] will lead Oklahoma into battle as captains in week eleven.

Arnold has gone from the heir-apparent, to the no-doubt starter, to being benched, to being re-inserted in the lineup, and now back to captain status in a whirlwind month and a half. The sophomore has looked more comfortable since regaining his starting spot, and his play will go a long way toward deciding this week’s game.

Sharp has shown some positive things at tight end, but there’s still plenty to work on for a player still new to the position. The coaching staff clearly trusts him to get the lion’s share of the reps, and he’s been more effective since the offensive coordinator change.

Williams was a big offseason addition for this team, and has been been reliable in the interior of the defensive line. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s helped one of the strongest units on the team consistently shut down the inside run game week after week.

Halton has improved so much over the last couple of seasons, and is really coming into his own as another great interior line option on this defense. He’s found a knack for getting into the backfield and making big plays, none bigger than his game-changing safety against Houston all the way back in week two.

Stutsman is the unquestioned leader of this team, and one of the best inside linebackers in college football. He hasn’t seen as many wins in his senior season as he’d like, but he continues to excel no matter how far back against the wall the offense puts the defense this year.

Bowman Jr. hasn’t matched his unbelievable production from a year ago, but he’s still a very good veteran player in the back end of OU’s defense. If he can return to his ball-hawking, turnover-causing 2023 form, it’ll help this team immensely over the final four weeks of the regular season.

The Sooners are putting some of their biggest stars front and center for this game. The noteworthy names, especially Stutsman, Bowman Jr. and Arnold will have to play like stars on Saturday, and the rest of the season, for Oklahoma to begin stacking wins in the SEC.

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Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman named semifinalist for Butkus Award

Oklahoma Sooners linebaker Danny Stutsman named Butkus Award semifinalist.

The Oklahoma Sooners defense has been a bright spot in 2024. Despite their 5-4 season the defense has taken another step in its development. That’s due in large part to the return and the performance of senior linebacker Danny Stutsman.

Stutsman was just named a semifinalist for the prestigious Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebackers. He was one of 15 semifinalists, which includes Alabama standouts Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson, Shaun Dolac of Buffalo, Clamson’s Barrett Carter, Jalon Walker of Georgia, Indiana’s Aiden Fisher, Jay Higgins of Iowa, Chandler Martin of Memphis, Chris Paul Jr. of Ole Miss, N.C. State’s Sean Brown, Ohio State’s Sonny Style, Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr., Carson Schwesinger or UCLA, and Shae Suiaunoa of Wyoming.

Stutsman’s had a strong year for the Sooners. He’s third in the SEC in total tackles through nine games with 77 and has eight tackles for loss and a sack on the season.

His leadership on and off the field has been instrumental in the Sooners’ growth on defense. Stutsman’s been a cornerstone piece for the Sooners in his time with the Sooners. With three games remaining has a chance to cement himself as one of the best defenders in college football.

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Draft prospects at LB to watch during Week 8 of college football season

Three draft prospects at linebacker for Packers fans to watch on Saturday.

It’s Week 8 of the college football season and the 2025 NFL Draft is 187 days away. Let’s take a look at linebackers that Green Bay Packers fans should watch during each time slot (all times central).

Brunch Time: 11:45 a.m.: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

The Sooner linebacker plays with fearlessness playing downhill. He’s a battering ram that tries to destroy anything that gets in his way of tracking down the ball carrier. The former four-star recruit is quick to diagnose the action and sift his way through the trash. Stutsman’s motor doesn’t turn off and always seems to be around the football. The Sooner linebacker would bring grit to Green Bay’s front seven.

Crack a beer: 2:30 p.m.: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

The Michigan linebacker is an explosive mover who has outstanding range. At 6-3, 248 pounds, Barham is a well-put-together linebacker with a nice blend of power and quickness. The Maryland transfer is an effective blitzer and has the lateral quickness to hold up in coverage. Over the past three games, Barham has recorded nine run stops and one tackle for loss.

Nightcap: 6:30 p.m.: Jay Higgins, Iowa

A year ago, Higgins led the nation in tackles (171) and through six games this season he has 62 tackles and 21 run stops, including 28 tackles, one sack and seven run stops during the last two games. He’s a sideline-to-sideline force, who has a nose for the football. The Iowa linebacker trusts his instincts and plays with a ton of confidence. Higgins explodes downhill to make plays behind or near the line of scrimmage to halt run plays before they can get started.

Oklahoma linebacker makes CBS Sports midseason All-America team

Oklahoma Sooners inside linebacker named to CBS Sports midseason All-America team.

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] has been named to the CBS Sports midseason All-America team for his efforts over the first six games of the year.

Stutsman has been one of the defensive leaders for OU, helping his team to a 4-2 record to start the season. The Sooner defense has been the program’s best in a long time, and the reason that Oklahoma isn’t sitting at .500 or worse in 2024.

The senior inside linebacker leads the team with 46 total tackles, and if that trend continues, and looks on pace to lead the team in tackles once again. He surpassed 300 career tackles earlier this season in OU’s win over Tulane. Stutsman has been one of the fixtures of the first three years of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era in Norman, buying in to the culture of the new head coach.

Stutsman is one of eight [autotag]SEC[/autotag] players to make the list, the most from any conference in the country. Joining him at the linebacker spots were Iowa’s Jay Higgins and Buffalo’s Shuan Dolac.

Stutsman and the Sooners will look to get back on track this week, when they host South Carolina on Saturday at 11:45 a.m.

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Dr. Pepper kept Brian Bosworth in the dark about his new deputy, Texas QB Quinn Ewers

“The Boz” had no idea Quinn Ewers was going to be his new co-star in 2024.

If you watch college football, you’re absolutely familiar with Dr. Pepper’s “Fansville” campaign. The popular series of commercials is in season seven, with Oklahoma Sooners all-time great [autotag]Brian Bosworth[/autotag] playing the role of the town’s sheriff since 2018.

This year, “Fansville” needed a deputy sheriff, so Dr. Pepper chose Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers to play the role. Ever since NIL deals became legal, there’s been a player in the commercials each year.

However, this presents a few problems, especially this week as we inch closer to the [autotag]Red River Rivalry[/autotag]. One of college football’s most heated rivalries is days away from being renewed.

Bosworth was asked about a Longhorn being his co-star by The Ref earlier this week. He said Dr. Pepper didn’t let him know the 2024 player played for Texas before the shoot.

“They didn’t tell me Quinn was my deputy until we got to the set,” Bosworth said. “And I said, ‘So, who’s the guy?’ Because every year the last 2-3 years they’ve brought a new guy on. And they didn’t tell me this year, probably because I would say, ‘No. Hell No! I’m not doing that!’ Then they said it’s Quinn Ewers, and he wants to meet me. I said, ‘Alright, tell him I’m outside his trailer and when he walks out don’t look anywhere but straight ahead. And I’ll be coming from one side or the other, but I won’t let him know. He’ll hear me.”

“The Boz” was finally able to embrace his new co-star, even though he certainly still hates the ‘Horns. He’s rarely been shy about expressing his displeasure for burnt orange, after all.

“We had fun together,” Bosworth said. “It was a great opportunity. He’s a great kid. A great competitor. But yeah, it took all I could to be nice to him for the first few minutes, then I realized he’s too nice a kid not to be nice to. I just wish he was wearing Crimson and Cream.”

Personally, I think Dr. Pepper missed out on a golden opportunity to have OU  star linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] play the role of Bosworth’s deputy, but maybe Stutsman will just have to take his frustrations out on the Texas offense come Saturday.

The Sooners and the Longhorns will take the field at the Cotton Bowl at 2:30 p.m. this week, and the game will broadcast on ABC.

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Oklahoma Sooners name captains for Week 7 vs. Texas Longhorns

The Sooners announced their captains for a huge game against the archival Longhorns.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns are just days away from renewing one of the greatest rivalry games sports has to offer. The [autotag]Red River Rivalry[/autotag] pits the undefeated Longhorns against the 4-1 Sooners in Dallas.

Oklahoma head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has chosen six captains to represent his team in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. Tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] represent the offense, while defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] represent the defense.

https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/1843426222828818746

Sharp, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, is making his first appearance in this rivalry. He’s been OU’s leading receiving tight end so far this season. While he’s struggled a bit with blocking, he’s been a reliable target over the middle in the passing game.

Nwaiwu is also a newcomer to this game, after transferring in from North Texas. He’s been a constant at right guard for OU this season, and has had his fair share of good and bad up front. Still, he’s been healthy and good enough to hold down the starting gig.

Williams is another new face in this matchup after arriving in Oklahoma from TCU via the portal. A big NIL and recruiting win for Venables, he’s been a strong starter on OU’s nasty defensive front. Sooner Nation is still waiting for Williams’ true breakout game, but he’s been very good in his first five games in Norman.

Downs is a Red River veteran, playing in his fourth game against Texas. He was one of the stars of this matchup a season ago, pressuring QB Quinn Ewers again and again. Downs is one of many players that OU rotates in and out at defensive end, but his veteran leadership and his technique are huge for  the coaching staff.

Stutsman continues to serve as the leader of OU’s defense and is responsible for so much from play to play. His now-iconic quote before last year’s game is indicative of what he brings to the table for this team. He’s playing in his fourth Red River game and leads the Sooners in tackles so far this season.

Bowman is another veteran on this defense, also playing in his fourth matchup against the “Horns. He was another one of Oklahoma’s many defensive stars in this game last year, forcing an interception in the first quarter with a huge hit, and coming up with the defining fourth-down stop of OU’s legendary goal-line stand. He’s the leader of an excellent safety trio for the Sooners that will have to come up big once again in this game.

Oklahoma and Texas will kick things off on ABC on Saturday, and the game will begin at 2:30 p.m.

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