The Oklahoma Sooners have put together a defense that could be one of the best in the country in 2024. [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff have recruited well over the last three cycles and made timely additions in the transfer portal. But one of the bigger stories this offseason was the return of [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] who looked like they were heading to the [autotag]NFL draft[/autotag] after strong 2023 seasons.
Getting Stutsman back to lead the defense was huge for the Sooners. He’s improved each year he’s been in Norman and has become one of the best inside linebackers in the nation. Stutsman was a Walter Camp preseason All-American selection and has a good chance to be named to the SEC’s first team when preseason selections are made.
Heading into Oklahoma’s inaugural season in the SEC, they’ll need Stutsman to be that guy.
Over at Roll Tide Wire, Brody Smoot ranked the top 24 players in the SEC heading into 2024 and Stutsman came in at No. 11.
Speaking of tackling machines, another one is Oklahoma senior linebacker Danny Stutsman. In the past two seasons, Stutsman has recorded 229 tackles, six sacks, and three interceptions. Following the conlusion of the 2023-2024 season, Stutsman was named an All-Big-12 First-Team selection. There will be some that are speculative of how Oklahoma fairs in the SEC. One thing is for certain. Stutsman will continue to be a tackling machine for Boomer Sooner. – Smoot, Roll Tide Wire
Only five defenders ranked in front of Stutsman. Tennessee’s James Pearce, Jr., LSU’s Harold Perkins, Jr., Georgia’s Mykell Williams and Malaki Starks, and Ole Miss‘ Walter Nolen were the only defenders ahead of Stutsman.
Stutsman’s impact on the Oklahoma Sooners defense can’t be overstated. Without the Sooners linebacker for a game and a half against Kansas and Oklahoma State, the Sooners’ defense didn’t look quite the same and it led to Oklahoma’s two Big 12 losses. The depth is better heading into 2024 as [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] have more experience, but Oklahoma needs Stutsman to have a clean bill of health throughout 2024 for the Sooners to contend.