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Oklahoma football: Who are Sooners’ 10 best players at midpoint of 2023 season?

ByChip Rouse|
Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

1. Junior linebacker Danny Stutsman

Dillon Gabriel would probably win the popular vote as Oklahoma’s best and most important player, but with the defense playing such a huge role in the Sooners’ turnaround this season, I’m going with the quarterback of the OU defense and one of the overall team leaders, linebacker Danny Stutsman.

Stutsman led the Big 12 in total tackles a year ago, and he is doing so again this season with 58 through six games. If he’s not in on the tackle, he is generally around the ball carrier. He has registered 10.5 tackles for loss and a couple of sacks to go along with an interception returned 30 yards for a touchdown and a fumble recovery.

The 6-foot, 4-inch, 230-pound linebacker is a one-man wrecking crew. If he gets his hands on you, you’re going down for the count.

Just missing the cut were redshirt senior wide receiver Drake Stoops, sophomore “Cheetah” Dasan McCullough, RB junior running back Tawee Walker and redshirt cornerback Woodi Washington.

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