Oklahoma football: Danny Stutsman reversing course. will return for 2024 season

Brent Venables and the Oklahoma football team received a huge early Christmas present on Monday with the announcement that defensive standout and team leader Danny Stutsman has reversed course and will return for his senior 2024 season.

The standout linebacker has been the heart and soul of the Sooners’ defense the past two seasons, and with the announcement last week that defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. is foregoing an early entry to the NFL Draft to return for another season, Oklahoma returns its two best defensive players for its debut season in the SEC next fall.

Earlier it had been reported that Stutsman told Venables he planned to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, but apparently he has changed his mind.

Stutsman led the Big 12 in tackles and ranked in the top-20 nationally with 125 tackles in his sophomore season in 2022. He recorded 99 tackles this season plus 16 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown. He was named to the All-Big 12 First Team this season and was also an Associated Press All-America Third-Team selection.

With Stutsman’s return along with the emergence this season of teammates Kip Lewis, Jaren Kanak and Kobie McKenzie, the Sooners return leadership and experience at the all-important linebacker position in the middle of the OU defense. Stutsman was a key component in the growth and improvement of the Sooner defensive unit this season.

Stutsman failed to make the semifinalist cut this season for the prestigious Butkus Award, which recognizes the best linebacker in college football. With his return for another season, the Sooners’ star linebacker should be a prime contender for the Butkus Award and other national honors next season.