Chiefs scouting report: Oklahoma Sooners LB Danny Stutsman

The Kansas City #Chiefs should consider selecting Oklahoma #Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs hit on linebackers with second or third-round picks in recent years, and it may be time for the team to go back to the well if Nick Bolton departs in free agency after the 2024 season.

Luckily for the Chiefs, several capable replacements could be available in the 2025 NFL draft.

Oklahoma Sooners standout Danny Stutsman earned All-American honors in 2023 and 2024, making him one of the most acclaimed linebackers in college football. His 6’4″, 243 lb. frame meets the league’s standards, but he needs to add more mass to his lower body to anchor against blockers better.

Stutsman patiently sits at the second level and mirrors the running back’s movements before meeting them in the hole. He struggles to stack and shed blockers but uses a swim move and explosive lateral hops to evade climbing linemen. Stutsman also dips his shoulders to play under the blocker’s hands and avoid taking on contact.

In 2024, Stutsman improved his discipline and ability to recognize run fit opportunities. He still guesses wrong at times and struggles to navigate muddy boxes, but he made strides to improve his efficiency. Stutsman’s motor burns hot in pursuit. He lacks true sideline-to-sideline range but still prevents running backs from turning the corner on wide runs.

Stutsman keeps his head on a swivel to recognize threats in zone coverage over the middle of the field. He also provides a quality option covering tight ends or running backs on shallow routes. Stutsman lacks the agility, foot speed, and loose hips to play man coverage. He needs to diversify his coverage profile and become more instinctive.

Oklahoma Sooners have struggled against the triple option over the years

OU hasn’t seen a lot of triple option offenses over the last quarter-century.

It’s the final game week of the 2024 season for the Oklahoma Sooners as they prepare to take on the Navy Midshipmen in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

After OU went 6-6 (2-6 SEC), third-year coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his coaching staff would love to finish with a win, which would put them over the .500 mark.

Navy went 9-3 this season, one of its best years in recent memory. The Midshipmen are one of a small number of teams that run the triple option offense, which Oklahoma has no doubt been trying to prepare for since its bowl opponent was announced.

Once one of the offensive staples of college football and run by the Sooners themselves for decades, the triple option has become mostly reserved for the service academies in recent years. Because it’s so different from the spread and air raid offenses that dominate the sport today (including at OU for the last 26 seasons), it’s an extremely complicated offense to defend, especially when a team runs it as well as Navy does.

For most of the players, this could be their final football game before beginning their time in the service. That, combined with their unique offensive style, makes them very hard to defeat in bowl games when their opponents don’t see the option very often.

The Sooners and the Midshipmen have met once. In 1965, Navy shut out Oklahoma, 10-0, in Norman. The second meeting will come on Friday in Fort Worth.

However, the Sooners have some recent experience against the service academies and the triple option.

In 2001, the Air Force Falcons hosted the defending-champion Sooners in a game that Oklahoma won in dominant fashion, 44-3. The OU defense, led by co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables forced four turnovers and held the Falcons to 249 yards. It was the first game against a service academy since that Navy loss, and the Sooners had no problem with the option attack.

In 2010, the Sooners and the Falcons met once again in Norman. This time, the victory wasn’t nearly as dominant. OU squeaked by 27-24. Air Force ran for 351 yards, and Venables’ defense had plenty of trouble against the option attack that featured eight completed passes. Oklahoma led by 17 before a fourth-quarter rally by Air Force fell just short, and the Sooners avoided disaster. A Landry Jones completion to Kenny Stills on third down sealed an ugly victory on Owen Field.

However, when most Sooner fans think about the triple option in recent years, their mind goes to the Army Black Knights in 2018.

The high-flying Sooners nearly played right into the hands of the Black Knights, scoring quickly on offense while being way too soft on defense. Oklahoma went to overtime with Army, remaining undefeated with a 28-21 victory in an extra frame.

Army completed three passes but ran for 339 yards on 78 carries. Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray completed just 11 passes, but, luckily, three of them went for scores, including the deciding one to CeeDee Lamb from 10 yards out. A Parnell Motley interception on the fourth down of Army’s overtime drive sealed a too-close-for-comfort victory.

The Sooners nearly made one too many mistakes to win the game. Murray threw an interception. OU had a turnover on downs, and kicker Austin Seibert missed a potential game-winning field goal in regulation. Luckily, Army QB Kelvin Hopkins Jr. threw two interceptions.

Mike Stoops’ defense was powerless to stop the Black Knights’ rushing attack, and he was fired a few weeks later. A team that ended up making the College Football Playoff wouldn’t have been considered if they had let Army walk off Owen Field with a win that September night.

Now, for the first time in six seasons, the Sooners will face a service academy and the triple option again. The challenge of the unique offense only grows without stalwarts [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] in the lineup.

If they can handle the offensive attack and beat the Navy, it’ll be a good way to end what’s been a disastrous first season in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. A loss would mean a second 6-7 season in three years under Venables, and he’d drop to 0-3 in bowl games as OU’s coach.

The Armed Forces Bowl will kick off at 11 a.m. CT in Fort Worth. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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Danny Stutsman earns Consensus All-American honors

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman named a Consensus All-American by the NCAA.

Oklahoma Sooners senior inside linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] has officially been named a consensus All-American as selected by the NCAA.

To be selected, a player must be a first-team honoree by at least two of the following five All-America teams: American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News, and Walter Camp Foundation.

Stutsman received first- or second-team All-America recognition from each of the five selectors recognized by the NCAA. He was named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation and the AFCA last week and was listed on the All-America second teams by the AP, FWAA and Sporting News this week. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award and was a first-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches and media.

It’s been four remarkable years of growth, effort, and leadership from Stutsman in Norman, one of the players who decided to stick around for head coach [autotag]Brent Veanbles[/autotag] when Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch left for Southern California. He improved each year, eventually becoming one of the best players in the country in his final season of college football.

Stutsman became OU’s 83rd consensus All-American and was the first selection wide receiver CeeDee Lamb earned the honor in 2019. Stutsman is also the first Sooners linebacker to receive consensus All-American honors Curtis Lofton in 2007. He’s the ninth linebacker in school history to be named a consensus All-American (four players received the honor twice, so OU has garnered a total of 13 honors).

Oklahoma ranks sixth nationally among FBS programs with 83 all-time consensus All-Americans, and OU’s 81 consensus All-Americans since 1950 lead the nation. Since 2000, OU has produced 31 consensus All-Americans, tied for second with Ohio State behind Alabama.

Stutsman started all 12 games at middle linebacker this season and ranked fourth in the SEC and 24th nationally with his team-high 109 total tackles. He also ranked fourth in the SEC and 22nd nationally, averaging 9.1 tackles per game. He has added 8.0 tackles for loss, one sack and three QB hurries to his ledger this season.

The senior played in 47 career games for the Sooners and started each of his last 37. He totaled 376 career tackles to rank ninth in Oklahoma history. He is tied for fifth among OU inside linebackers with his 36.0 career tackles for loss. He also recorded 8.0 career sacks and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. With 109 tackles in 2024, Stutsman registered triple-digit tackles in three consecutive seasons.

His final performance on Owen Field may have been his best. Stutsman willed his team to a shocking upset victory against Alabama, shutting down QB Jalen Milroe with a relentless defensive performance.

Stutsman won’t play in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces bowl next week when Oklahoma takes on Navy, as he is preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. However, his time in Norman certainly won’t soon be forgotten.

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Takeaways from Oklahoma Sooners depth chart for Armed Forces Bowl

What stands out from Oklahoma Sooners depth chart for the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy?

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

The 2024 Oklahoma Sooners still have one game to play before we can move on to the 2025 season. OU went 6-6 overall and 2-6 in Southeastern Conference play, earning a berth in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen (noon, Friday, Dec. 27).

After a brutal SEC schedule, Brent Venables[/autotag] and his team didn’t get a great bowl draw. Navy went 9-3 and defeated Army, which won the American Athletic Conference title.

The Sooners have released their depth chart for the last game of the year, and it reflects the 25 players who entered the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. The Sooners could still see more players enter the portal before it closes on Dec. 28, but this is where things stand.

Some positions have seen plenty of change. Of course, OU will lose more players to graduation, lack of remaining collegiate eligibility or the NFL draft, but they’ll suit up in the crimson and cream one more time.

Here are the four biggest takeaways from OU’s depth chart for the Armed Forces Bowl.

1. No Stutsman, No Bowman

Both [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] have played their final game in an Oklahoma jersey, and both had excellent careers in Norman.

As the duo prepares for their pro careers and the draft in April, let’s remember to salute what they did in their four years as Sooners.

Otherwise, Oklahoma’s defense will have plenty of familiar faces, and the coaching staff is hoping they will return in 2025. There are still plenty of decisions to be made there, but it looks like that unit will be mostly intact in Fort Worth.

2. Hawkins Takes Over Again

On the other hand, Oklahoma’s offensive depth chart is a work in progress, to say the least. Let’s start at quarterback. With Jackson Arnold’s transfer to Auburn, [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] takes over at quarterback one more time in 2024.

Hawkins will make the fourth start of his true freshman season after he spelled Arnold midway through the year. Hawkins has a chance to show Sooner Nation his growth before he settles back into a reserve role behind newcomer John Mateer in 2025.

Hawkins’ decision to stick it out and stay at Oklahoma could prove fruitful for both parties. He has a chance to be developed properly under new offensive coordinator [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag].

3. Wide Receiver Woes

Oklahoma has six scholarship wide receivers on the roster. They could be down to four scholarship players for the Navy game if Deion Burks is unable to play because Jayden Gibson is still out after his preseason injury.

True freshmen Zion Kearney, Zion Ragins, Ivan Carreon and K.J. Daniels appear on the depth chart, as do walk-ons including Jacob Jordan.

It’s a position the coaching staff is doing some work to rebuild this offseason; they have to find guys who can be both healthy and productive.

4. Barnes Will Not Play

Oklahoma hasn’t had any of the top four running backs on the roster ([autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], Xavier Robinson, Taylor Tatum and Gavin Sawchuk) enter the portal yet. That could change, but there’s a chance the room will be pretty good in 2025. Each of those four brings a different skill set, but one guy emerging to be the feature back would be ideal.

For a brief minute this season, that was Barnes. He had become OU’s best offensive player, but he was injured against Maine and missed the rest of the year.

Unlike Robinson, Tatum and Sawchuk, Barnes doesn’t appear on the depth chart. That could be because he’s definitely out because of his ankle injury.

Barnes returning in 2025 would give Venables and Arbuckle a veteran guy in the backfield capable of being a workhorse when called upon. That room looks a bit crowded, so don’t be shocked if one of the four decides to look for more carries elsewhere this winter or spring.

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Oklahoma linebacker earns All-American honors

Oklahoma Linebacker Danny Stutsman earns Walter Camp All-American first-team selection.

The Oklahoma Sooners defense took another big step in 2024, finishing the season by allowing just 21.6 points per game, good for 34th in the nation. In each of Brent Venables’ three seasons at Oklahoma, they’ve improved in points per game allowed as a defense. The tip of the spear for the Sooners’ defensive resurgence has been senior linebacker Danny Stutsman.

Stutsman was named a Walter Camp All-American first-team selection on Thursday evening at the ESPN College Football Awards show. That’s his second first-team selection after being named to the CBS Sports All-American team. Stutsman also earned second-team All-American honors from USA TODAY Sports.

In 2024, Stutsman became just the second Oklahoma linebacker to record 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons, joining former star Travis Lewis, who accomplished the feat from 2008-2010.

It’s been a banner year for Stutsman, who was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker. Georgia’s Jalon Walker earned that distinction.

Stutsman was a leader for the program, on and off the field. His steady hand in the middle of the Sooners’ defense helped OU become one of the best-run defenses in the country.

Now, Danny Stutsman will head off to the NFL with a chance to be selected in the top two rounds in the 2025 NFL draft.

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4 Oklahoma Sooners earn All-SEC Honors

Oklahoma Sooners earn four All-SEC honors.

The Oklahoma Sooners’ first swim through the SEC wasn’t up to standards but several players proved ready for the uptick in competition.

Four Sooners earned selection to the All-SEC teams, as announced by the conference on Tuesday.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] led the way, earning a spot on the All-SEC first-team defense. Stutsman led the way for a Sooners defense that was one of the best in the nation in 2024. Stutsman led the Sooners with 108 total tackles and recorded eight tackles for loss. Stutsman is now off to the NFL, where he’ll have a chance to be a late first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Also earning All-SEC honors was [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag], who was selected to the conference’s second team after recording a team-high nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss. After battling injuries his first two seasons in Norman, Thomas experienced a breakout season for the Sooners and became a dynamic pass rusher in critical moments.

[autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] was named to the All-SEC third team at safety. Bowman recorded 54 total tackles, two interceptions, three pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries. Like Stutsman, Bowman is off to the NFL, where he has a chance to be selected in the top four rounds of the 2025 NFL draft.

Long snapper Ben Anderson was also a third-team All-SEC selection after putting together a clean season from a snapping perspective. He also made three tackles on punt returns this season.

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Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Oklahoma’s 37-17 loss to LSU

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from the Oklahoma Sooners 37-17 loss to the LSU Tigers to close the regular season.

There wasn’t a lot to like about Oklahoma’s performance in their 37-17 loss to the LSU Tigers. It was a letdown after what they did to the Alabama Crimson Tide the week before. It was an unfortunate way to end the season and now the Sooners will hope to find the answer at offensive coordinator and get some guys healthy ahead of the 2025 season.

As we await Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator decision and ahead of the opening of the early signing period and the transfer portal, here’s the final edition of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Oklahoma’s loss to LSU.

The Good: Defensive Line

The Oklahoma Sooners got their first score of the game when the defensive line created pressure, Gracen Halton forced a fumble, and then R Mason Thomas picked it up and ran into the end zone for the touchdown. The Sooners tied the game up at seven, and it looked like they would have a chance against the Tigers.

Later in the first half, Thomas registered his ninth sack of the season, when he cleanly beat the left tackle blasted Garrett Nussmeier and forced a fumble. LSU recovered the ball, and remarkably, Nussmeier returned to the game later in the second quarter and had a great game.

But the defensive line had a good game. Was it the best game they’ve had this season? No, but it was far from the biggest issue on the defensive side of the ball on Saturday night. The defensive front held LSU to 3.8 yards per carry and 110 rushing yards.

Brent Venables, Todd Bates, and Miguel Chavis have been working over the last few years to turn the Sooners defensive front into a unit that could create havoc in the SEC and they’re doing just that.

If the Sooners are able to talk Thomas into coming back for one more year that would be huge for a defense that will lose Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman, and Ethan Downs this offseason.

Up Next: Oklahoma goes from bad to worse

Who will be Oklahoma’s captains against the LSU Tigers on Saturday?

Oklahoma Football game captains for Week 14 vs. the LSU Tigers.

The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 6-5 overall on the 2024 season with their victory over the [autotag]Alabama Crimson Tide[/autotag] in Week 13. OU is now 2-5 in SEC play, with just one week left in the regular season. Their Week 14 game comes against the [autotag]LSU Tigers[/autotag] on the road in Death Valley.

Oklahoma head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has chosen his game captains for the regular season finale. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and punter [autotag]Luke Elzinga[/autotag] will represent the Sooners on the road. Arnold, Everett, Downs and Stutsman were also captains last week.

It’s actually the third straight week as a captain for Anrold, who is set to make his ninth start of the season on Saturday. He wasn’t asked to do much as a passer last week, but he played a clean game and ran really tough against Alabama. He led the Sooners with 131 rushing yards on 25 carries, helping to set the tone offensively.

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.

Williams is one of Oklahoma’s set of excellent defensive tackles, wrapping up his first season in Norman. With some of the veterans on the OU defense moving on next year, Williams will be in the spotlight more next season if he decides to stay in school.

Downs has been as steady as a rock at defensive end for the Sooners. He plays his best in the biggest games and is one of the best leaders on this team. He had an excellent performance helping shut down Jalen Milroe and the Tide offense last week.

Stutsman continues to be Oklahoma’s heartbeat. He was incredible against Alabama on Saturday, and is the ultimate leader on this team. He’ll be playing possibly the final game of his excellent career on Saturday if he decides to opt-out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.

Elzinga has been perhaps the most consistent player on the entire roster this year. He’ll be sorely missed next season, as he’s been able to pin opponents deep since taking over as the starter midway through last season.

As the Sooners try to go into the Tigers’ den and come out with a victory, look for these players to lead the way on the road.

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Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman named Butkus Finalist

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award.

The Oklahoma Sooners earned a legendary upset win over the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night behind a strong defensive performance. Leading the charge for the Oklahoma defense this year has been senior linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag].

He’s been an important voice on and off the field for the Sooners and has been the face of the defensive turnaround in Norman.

For his efforts in 2024, Stutsman has been named a Butkus Award Finalist. The award is given to the best linebacker in the nation.

Stutsman was named alongside Barrett Carter of Clemson, Chris Paul Jr. of Ole Miss, Carson Schwesinger of UCLA, and Jalon Walker of Georgia.

Stutsman and Carter both spent time with Brent Venables as their defensive coordinator.

On the year, Stutsman has 100 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a sack. It’s the third season in a row in which he’s registered 100 tackles for the Sooners.

The Sooners defense ranks 23rd in the nation in scoring at 20.2 points per game and 16th in total yards per game. And Stutsman’s been at the heart of it.

Oklahoma has had three players win the award. [autotag]Brian Bosworth[/autotag] won back-to-back awards in 1985 and 1986. [autotag]Rocky Calmus[/autotag] won it in 2001 and [autotag]Teddy Lehman[/autotag] in 2003. Each of Oklahoma’s past winners were instrumental to the OU’s defensive success, just as Stutsman has been.

Stutsman has one more game to cement his legacy with the Sooners as OU gets ready to go on the road to play LSU in Baton Rouge. It will be the first time the Sooners have made the trip to Death Valley, but Stutsman and the defense has risen to the occasion all season long.

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Best photos from Oklahoma’s win over Alabama, fans rushing the field postgame

A look at some of the best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners upset win over the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide.

What a night in Norman, Oklahoma. On senior night and with the Alabama Crimson Tide in town, Sooner Nation showed out in a big way, rising to the occasion to provide an energy and environment that had a significant impact on the Oklahoma Sooners win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

In the end, the Oklahoma Sooners welcomed thousands of their closest friends onto the field to revel in the 24-3 domination.

The Sooners made Alabama look like the team that had struggled to get to 5-5 on the season. Not the No. 7 team in the nation that was hoping to solidify its place in the College Football Playoff.

The offense pounded the ball with Jackson Arnold and Xavier Robinson in the run game to the tune of 257 rushing yards on 50 attempts. The defense kept one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, Jalen Milroe, in check for four quarters. They never let him get going in the running game and provided enough pressure to make it difficult to push the ball down the field.

It was an incredible night in Norman as Oklahoma honored its seniors in the best way they could, with a huge win over a top-10 Alabama Crimson Tide team.

Here are some of the best photos from the Sooners win over Alabama.