Tag: Dasan McCullough

No Sooners make Pro Football Focus’ All-Big 12 first team

Zero Sooners were included among Pro Football Focus’ All-Big 12 teams, but several made the second and third team.

It’s almost that time of the year for fall camps, which means preseason All-Big 12 teams are being selected by national publications.

The latest comes from Pro Football Focus. No Sooners made the first team, but several made the second and third teams.

The second team members were [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag].

The third team members were [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] and [autotag]Zach Schmit[/autotag].

After a season like 2022, having zero first-team members should be expected. But if the Sooners have the bounce-back year many expect, Oklahoma should get more recognition after the season.

[autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag], [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], and [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] are players to watch this season. Each player could find themselves on the end-of-the-season list. Another guy to watch out for is R Mason Thomas. He has the unique skills to have a breakout season.

By season’s end, Stustman, Gabriel, and Bowman have a great chance to earn first-team honors.

Most preseason all-conference teams aren’t going to be kind to the Sooners. However, as long as the product on the field is better, there will be plenty of Sooners receiving postseason awards in 2023.

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‘I expect great things’: Brent Venables a believer in Danny Stutsman ahead of 2023

Speaking at Big 12 media days, Brent Venables shared his excitement for junior linebacker Danny Stutsman.

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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‘A great opportunity for the new guys’: Brent Venables excited about Sooners despite turnover

Despite a big roster turnover in their first year and a half, Brent Venables is feeling good about Oklahoma’s competitive depth.

The last 20 months in Norman have seen a coaching staff overhaul that led to roster turnover that highlights much of what college athletics has become.

The transfer portal, graduation and the NFL draft lead to turnover every year. After a coaching change, that turnover is exaggerated.

“We’ve had tremendous turnover, like a lot of people in this day and age of college football,” Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said at Big 12 media days. “Like many people, there’s been tremendous roster turnover. We desire a roster of stability and consistency. I think that’s what lends to success and sustainability.”

[autotag]Venables[/autotag] relayed that 78.8% of his roster is in the first or second year with the program.

“We’ve got 123 players on team 129, and out of those 123 players, 97 of them will be in either their first or their second year at the University of Oklahoma,” Venables said. “Tremendous turnover, but I couldn’t be more excited about the group of guys.”

Venables added, “To me I look at it as a great opportunity for the new guys.”

Oklahoma’s banking on a lot of those new guys being significant contributors to the team’s success in 2023. As the transfer additions go, so likely will the Sooners’ Big 12 title aspirations.

Defensive additions [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag] and [autotag]Konnor Near[/autotag] are each expected to have big roles for Oklahoma this season.

“And then the addition – again, we’ve got nine guys, six guys up front, two All-American linebackers, a hard-hitting safety in [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag].” Venables said. “I believe we’ll be better up the middle of our defense, and I look at where we were at really at every single position, and we didn’t have the competitive depth a year ago.”

In particular, the lack of defensive depth was staggering.

At linebacker, the Sooners’ trio of [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], and [autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag] each played over 900 snaps. Only two players in Football Bowl Subdivision played more snaps than Stutsman. Adding depth at linebacker with McCullough and Near was critical. Their 2022 and 2023 linebacker signees add to that depth.

The 2022 guys have been in the program for more than a year now. [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] and [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] will have bigger roles this season for the Sooners, which will help their linebacker play be better.

Tackle [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag] and tight end [autotag]Austin Stogner[/autotag] should start on the offensive side of the ball. Guard [autotag]Caleb Shaffer[/autotag], wide receivers [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag], and defensive tackles [autotag]Davon Sears[/autotag], [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] and [autotag]Phillip Paea[/autotag] are expected to compete for playing time.

The Sooners’ 2023 recruiting class could have guys be early X-factors on the field this season. At cornerback, [autotag]Jasaiah Wagoner[/autotag] and [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag] have been turning heads. The drumbeat for Peyton Bowen hasn’t slowed. [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag] has turned heads with his speed despite being on campus only a month or two.

“It goes without saying, we went 6-7 last year and fell well below our expectations and our standards at Oklahoma,” shared Venables. “But man, we learned and grew a lot as a football program. In five of the seven losses, it goes down to the last minute, two minutes of the game in the fourth quarter with a chance to win.

“We started the year pretty strong, and then we didn’t finish the year very well, particularly in, again, those fourth quarters of a bunch of games. We just didn’t have any juice left about the middle of the year on. The competitive depth will lead to better competitive stamina.”

The Sooners are hoping the improved competitive depth will lead to a more competitive defense that’s able to help close games for a team with lofty expectations.

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Oklahoma’s defense among 247Sports most improved units heading into 2023

The Oklahoma Sooners were included among 247Sports most improved units heading into the 2023 season.

Last year you couldn’t get much worse than the product Oklahoma put on the field defensively.

The Sooners ranked 122nd out of 131 teams in total defense. Part of that was because of how many snaps they played due to the offense going up-tempo and having several three-and-outs but also just because of poor play.

The Sooners did show signs of what they could become. Go back and watch the first three games, the Bedlam game, and the first half against West Virginia , and you can see what this defense can become.

But ultimately, they have to put it together. 247Sports included the Oklahoma defense among their most improved units ahead of 2023.

Oklahoma had major struggles on defense last season and second-year coach Brent Venables used his roster-building tactics to avoid a similar fate. Through the transfer portal, the Sooners added four defensive linemen, two linebackers and one defensive back. Oklahoma also excelled through high school recruiting, landing a couple five-stars in EDGE Adepoju Adebawore and safety Peyton Bowen. They also brought in four-star safety Makari Vickers, cornerback Jasiah Wagoner and JUCO product Kendel Dolby. – 247Sports’ Raymond Lucas Jr.

There’s no doubt the Sooners saw areas of need and attacked them in the transfer portal. However, it’s not realistic to expect a complete turnaround.

Combine the new additions with a year in the system, and there should be a lot of improvements made.

Can Oklahoma get into the 60-80 range in total defense? It’s definitely possible. It needs to happen if they want to get where this team feels it can, back to the Big 12 title game.

The secondary has a chance to be the best unit on the team. The linebacker position, while not deep, should see a big jump in speed and athleticism with [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], and [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] taking on more significant roles alongside [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag]. The defensive line should be improved with the addition of [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag] and the further development of guys like [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag], [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag], and [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag].

I expect a nice jump defensively where we see more consistent play and consistent signs of what the defense can be. They will still have their duds and have poor games, but overall it should be and needs to be more consistent.

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5 reasons to be confident in the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners

Though there are certainly questions that still need to be answered, here are five reasons to be optimistic about the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners.

Just about two months away from the start of the 2023 college football season, there are few teams without question marks on the roster.  The Oklahoma Sooners are no different.

But instead of focusing on the unsolved mysteries with the Sooners ahead of fall camp, let’s take a look at some of the reasons to feel optimistic about Oklahoma football heading into its final season in the Big 12 in 2023.

Oklahoma’s defense among most improved units in the nation

Heading into the 2023 season the Oklahoma Sooners defense is among the most improved units in the nation.

How far the Oklahoma Sooners go in 2023 will depend on the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense. The offense has to improve. Of that, there is no doubt. But if the defense doesn’t take drastic steps toward improvement, another average season is in the cards for the Sooners.

Brent Venables and his coaching staff exited the 2022 season with no misconception about how much the defense had to improve in 2023. They attacked the transfer portal and landed some of the best defensive players available to infuse talent and experience into a unit that was one of the worst last year.

[autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag] and [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag] figure to be immediate impact players out of the portal. All three will either start or play significant snaps for a defense that didn’t have a lot of depth last year.

Additionally, [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] will enter their second year as starters for the Sooners.

The growth and the development of the defense in addition to the transfer additions has the Sooners trending in a much better direction defensively. Will Backus of CBS Sports tends to agree. Backus included the Oklahoma Sooners among his most improved units heading into the 2023 season.

It almost has to be better, right? For a defense under [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ leadership, Oklahoma’s performance last season was appalling. There’s no questioning the talent, though. The Sooners have recruited really well recently, and even after [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag] bolted, the cabinet was still fairly stocked. Venables also leaned heavily on the transfer portal to plug any holes and primarily addressing Oklahoma’s biggest defensive worry: the pass rush. The Sooners managed just 28 sacks as a team last season, which ranked 64th nationally. Adding difference-makers like (Dasan) McCullough and (Rondell) Bothroyd — who would have led the Sooners in 2022 with his six sacks — will go a long way toward fixing that. Pair those two with the likes of Ford — who should see a return to form after a couple of injury-plagued seasons — and returning stars like [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] and [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], and the Sooners should have a pretty imposing front.  – Backus, CBS Sports

If the Sooners can make a substantial jump in performance this year, the Sooners will fulfill Brent Venables’ optimism that this team can win 10 games and have a chance to hang a banner at the end of the year.

Despite the turnover on offense, the defense’s performance will be the key to Oklahoma’s success in 2023.

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Oklahoma Sooners top 15 in ESPN’s future college football power rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners have a bright future ahead coming off of a 6-7 season and were included in the top 15 of ESPN’s future rankings.

The future is bright in Norman, Oklahoma. Armed with a pair of top-10 recruiting classes, Brent Venables has the Sooners on the right track despite a 6-7 season in his first year at the helm.

What they’ve been able to do on the recruiting trail and how the Sooners are positioning themselves in the 2024 recruiting class have many optimistic and, dare I say, excited about the Sooners’ future under Brent Venables.

Though it’s perhaps a step back from where they were in previous iterations of ESPN’s future power rankings (ESPN+), Adam Rittenberg still has the Sooners in the top 15, coming in at No. 12.

Oklahoma has been a top-10 mainstay in these rankings, especially during a run of six consecutive conference titles and four CFP appearances between 2015 and 2020. But the Sooners haven’t won the Big 12 or made the CFP the past two seasons. They come off of their first losing season since 1998. They’re also SEC bound in 2024, a move that will test their efforts in recruiting, coaching and development. Coach Brent Venables is one of the sport’s best defensive strategists and talent evaluators. He must restore OU’s edge on defense, which diminished during Riley’s otherwise spectacular tenure. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Brent Venables and his staff have worked tirelessly to improve the talent on the defensive side of the ball after a transition year in 2022. Oklahoma added a number of blue-chip prospects in their 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes and looks headed toward another strong defensive class in 2024.

Because it will take time for Venables’ talented defensive signees to become the foundation of his defense, he’s attacked the transfer portal to add instant impact defenders like [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag], and a number of defensive tackles. The defense should be better this year, and if it is, Oklahoma will have a chance to return to the Big 12 title game in 2023.

Offensively, Dillon Gabriel leads the way for an Oklahoma offense that was pretty good in 2022, averaging 32 points per game. Beyond this season, the future remains bright, with [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] expected to take over in 2024, the Sooners’ first season in the SEC.

In addition to Arnold, Oklahoma added several blue-chip prospects to keep Jeff Lebby’s offense humming beyond 2023. Cayden Green has a real shot to start as a true freshman and [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag]’s speed gives him a chance to see the field early in his career despite being a summer enrollee.

In the portal, Oklahoma looked to add big-play threats with the additions of [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag] to go along with a steady veteran at tight end in [autotag]Austin Stogne[/autotag]r.

Oklahoma’s offensive line will be in great shape under [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] despite the loss of three starters to the NFL. Between the transfer portal and the players they have returning from last year, the Sooners will once again have one of the better offensive lines in football in 2023 and for years to come.

While 6-7 was a disappointment, it was just year one of Brent Venables’ tenure. Sometimes there has to be a pruning period before you can begin to bear fruit. Oklahoma’s on the right track. If their work on the recruiting trail over the last year and a half is any indication, he’ll have Oklahoma back in the mix for the Big 12 title in 2023 and contending for the College Football Playoff even after they make their move to the SEC.

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Dasan McCullough named as an impact transfer by CBS Sports

CBS Sports included LB Dasan McCullough among their impact contributors in the 2023 season.

It was no secret the Oklahoma Sooners attacked the transfer portal hard this past offseason hoping to fill some holes after a disappointing season.

The Sooners signed 16 players from the transfer portal and were ranked as the eighth-best class by 247Sports.

CBS Sports reassessed the transfer portal acquisitions in the Big 12 and identified Dasan McCullough as someone who will make an instant impact in 2023.

McCullough had a really solid true freshmen season at Indiana, where he was an ESPN true freshman All-American.

Shehan Jeyarajah from CBS Sports thinks he could have a big year for the Sooners in Brent Venables’ defense.

McCullough flashed big-time potential during his freshman season at Indiana, posting 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and three passes defended while appearing in all 12 games,” Jeyarajah said. “Now, McCullough comes to Oklahoma as one of the biggest breakout candidates in the Big 12. McCullough could slot into the coveted “Cheetah” hybrid role in Brent Venables’ defense and cover up holes on multiple levels of the field. – Jeyarajah, CBS Sports

The great thing about McCullough is his versatility. While Deshaun White played well at the cheetah position last year, he was more of a linebacker. McCullough can play the run and drop in coverage, but his best trait may be rushing the passer.

It’ll be interesting to see how Venables and the defensive staff use him this season. If the Oklahoma Sooners are going to make a big improvement on the defensive side of the ball, Dasan McCullough will be a big reason why.

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Oklahoma Sooners No. 7 in ESPN’s impact transfer, recruiting class rankings

All of the work the Oklahoma staff has done has garnered them a top 10 ranking in ESPN’s impact transfer, recruiting class rankings.

After a disappointing 2022 season, Brent Venables and his staff have gone to work to fill the holes in last year’s team.

All of the work they’ve done has garnered them a top 10 ranking in ESPN’s impact transfer, recruiting class rankings (subscription required).

Some of the key newcomers ESPN lists are [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Walker Rouse[/autotag], [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag] and [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag].

(Peyton) Bowen is one of three five-star signings. While the experienced [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] returns and is likely to be QB1 to start the season, he’s no lock to finish it. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], the No. 3 recruit in the 2023 class, made a strong push for the No. 1 ranking as a well-rounded player with a nice blend of arm strength, release and mobility. Whether or not he plays this season, he has the “it” factor, according to his coach, and gives the Sooners an elite talent in the wings to take over for 2024 with Heisman Trophy potential. On defense, perhaps no one has more upside than edge defender [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag], who has excellent length and agility. He has so much ability that he could still make a Year 1 impact as a pass-rusher. – Craig Haubert, ESPN

The Sooners are behind USC, Miami, Florida State, LSU, Colorado and Oregon.

McCullough and Bothroyd are the two most highly thought of. McCullough was a freshman All-American last season. He racked up 49 tackles, six and a half tackles for loss, and four sacks.

Bothroyd brings significant experience. He is a five-year player with Wake Forest. He has 136 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks in his career, including 14 sacks over the last two seasons. He hopes to bolster a defensive line that really struggled in Venables’ first season as head coach.

The article also mentions Texas Tech transfer Reggie Pearson Jr., who brings experience and toughness to the secondary.

Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony is also mentioned as he comes with limited production but brings a lot of speed and good route-running ability to the squad.

While five-star QB Jackson Arnold gets the headlines, the most potential of any newcomer might be edge defender Adebawore who is a long, athletic player who showed flashes of his elite ability during the spring game.

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Oklahoma Sooners inside Athlon Sports post-spring top 25

Oklahoma Sooners included in Athlon Sports post-spring top 25.

“Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.” Those are the lyrics of the great LL Cool J from his hit “Mama said knock you out.” They feel apt for the Oklahoma Sooners months ahead of the 2023 college football season.

After Oklahoma’s first losing season since 1998, one would think the expectations would change for the Sooners, but in preseason power rankings, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Oklahoma is projected to be a top 25 team when they open the 2023 season in September.

Though it was a rough go-round in Brent Venables first year as a head coach, that doesn’t change the reality that Venables is one of the best defensive minds in college football. He’s proven it several times over the last two decades and there’s little doubt he and the Sooners won’t improve from their 2022 season.

Count Steve Lassan of Athlon Sports as a believer in Oklahoma’s bounce-back season. He’s got the Sooners at No. 16 in Athlon Sports post-spring top 25.

Year 1 for Brent Venables in Norman didn’t go according to plan, as the Sooners posted their first losing season (6-7) since 1998. However, a wide-open Big 12 and a roster returning 12 starters — including quarterback Dillon Gabriel — should be enough for Oklahoma to return to Big 12 title contention. The Sooners lost their top two receivers and both starting tackles on the offensive line, but a deep backfield should help stabilize the offense. Venables hit the portal hard to help a defense that allowed 30 points per game last fall, and those reinforcements, combined with another year in the scheme, should equal some improvement. Also, Oklahoma is due for a little better luck after losing five games by seven points or fewer in ’22. – Lassan, Athlon Sports

Oklahoma’s returning arguably their most-important players from a year ago in [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] and Danny Stutsman. The two provide important continuity on both sides of the ball as leaders of their respective units.

Gabriel will be working with an offense that’s expecting [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] to take a step and a running back tandem to replace [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag]. As we await answers to the questions on the offensive side of the ball, the Sooners can feel confident in their offense because they have one of the best quarterbacks in the conference manning the helm.

In just his first season as a starter, [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] was incredibly productive, leading the Big 12 in tackles. He was an iron man, playing nearly 1,000 snaps. Though he lost linebacker running buddies [autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag] and [autotag]Dashaun White[/autotag], Stutsman and the Sooners are expected to make improvements with another offseason in the scheme and an influx of talent through the transfer portal.

Presumably, joining Stutsman in the starting lineup at linebacker are [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] and [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], who bring elite athleticism and speed to the position to help make Oklahoma a faster football team. Oklahoma also added Rondell Bothroyd and Trace Ford to their defensive end rotation to help provide improved pass rush. They’ll work in a rotation along with Ethan Downs, R Mason Thomas, [autotag]Reggie Grimes[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Stripling[/autotag], and five-star newcomer [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag].

If Oklahoma can improve its pass rush from what it was in 2022, it’ll be a drastically improved football team in 2023.

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