Former Oklahoma Sooners Danny Stutsman and Ethan Downs both quickly turned heads on Day 1 of the NFL Combine on Thursday.
Linebackers and defensive linemen started things off at the NFL Combine, while another former OU player, Billy Bowman Jr., will get his chance with the defensive backs on Friday.
Stutsman ran an astounding 4.52 40-yard dash, which was tied with Alabama's Jihaad Campbell for the third-best time among participating linebackers. Stutsman also posted a 1.55 10-yard split and 34-inch vertical jump. He did not participate in the broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle or bench press.
Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman's 2025 Combine by the numbers 📊
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 28, 2025
6'3" 233 lbs
40: 4.52s
10-yard split: 1.55s
Vert: 34"
Arms: 32 1/8"
Hands: 9"
Stutsman is our LB #4 in the Draftpic.twitter.com/4MoK2OY1WE
After his drills, Stutsman's combine score of 74 ranked fifth among the 28 linebackers at the NFL Combine. He earned a production score of 72 (fourth-best) and athleticism score of 78 (ranking ninth).
Stutsman's measurements did come up a little shorter than expected, though. He was measured at 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds with 9-inch hands. OU listed Stutsman at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds.
All in all, though, Stutsman did more impressing than anything during his performance at the NFL Combine.
Downs, though, didn't have as great of a day as his teammate. His total combine score of 59 was 33rd out of 34 edge rushers at the NFL combine. He took the biggest blow from his production score of 58, which ranked 32nd, but his athleticism was 17th at 70.
At 6-foot-4 and 269 pounds, Downs is considered undersized as an NFL defensive end so needed an impressive showing to prove he can match the other prospects physically. He'll still get another chance at OU's pro day.
Downs did show off some speed with a 4.69 40-yard dash time, which was top 10 among defensive ends and could help his case for teams looking to also use him at linebacker.
He also had a 1.62 10-yard split, 34-inch vertical jump, 9-foot and 11-inch broad jump, 7.58 three-cone drill and 4.59 20-yard shuttle.
4.7 for Ethan Downs #Sooners #NFLCombine25 pic.twitter.com/WBql2WZlfy
— Jeremie Poplin (@jeremiepoplin) February 27, 2025
The NFL Draft will be April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.