The original college football free agency has begun.
The 2025 NFL Draft ended after three days on Saturday with two former Oklahoma Sooners getting drafted in the fourth round. Linebacker Danny Stutsman was the first to go with the 112th overall pick to the New Orleans. A few moments later, the Atlanta Falcons then selected safety Billy Bowman Jr. with the 118th pick.
The duo of Sooners made up OU's smallest NFL Draft class since 2002. However, that doesn't mean Stutsman and Bowman will be the only 2024 Sooners to get a chance at the next level.
The end of the NFL Draft prompted the start of free agency for the players who went undrafted. There was a time this was a college player's first chance since National Signing Day to choose their next team with possibly multiple options.
A few Sooners almost immediately signed contracts with NFL franchises, while some will later. The list below will be updated as more former OU players sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.
Tracking former Sooners signing with NFL teams
Offensive lineman Michael Tarquin was the first player OU announced had signed an NFL contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Tarquin played just one season at OU after starting his career at Florida for three years then spending a season at USC before getting to Norman last year. He played in 10 games last season and made seven starts between both tackle spots. He's listed at 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds.
Defensive lineman DaJon Terry will head west after bouncing around during his college career, but never that far.
Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, Terry started his career at Kansas, then went to Tennessee before spending his last two years at OU. He started four games for the Sooners and 14 times overall in 62 career games between three different programs.
A little undersized at 6-foot and 317 pounds, Terry recorded 91 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during his career.
Defensive end Ethan Downs was the Sooners' best shot at having a third player drafted. Instead, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after going undrafted.
Downs was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and even put up more reps on bench press than any other defensive lineman there. But he ultimately couldn't overcome his physical attributes as a 6-foot-4 and 269-pounds defensive lineman who was considered to lack explosiveness.
From Weatherford, Oklahoma, Downs spent his entire career at OU as a three-year starter. He was Second-Team All-Big 12 twice while tallying 110 career tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five pass breakups and 19 QB hurries in his career.
OU head coach Brent Venables assured last season that Trace Ford would get a shot in the NFL, and Ford will with the New York Giants.
Ford played on both sides of Bedlam as an Oklahoma kid from Edmond. He started at Oklahoma State, where he was for four years and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention as a freshman before injuries hindered him the next three years.
In 2023, Ford transferred to OU for his final two seasons. He played in every game, but never got a start as a Sooner. In 58 career games, he totaled 99 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles.
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