As former Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman starts his first NFL training camp with the New Orleans Saints, the reality is here that the Sooners must now prepare for life after Stutsman.
After three seasons as the Sooners' defensive backbone and best tackler, Stutsman moved on to the NFL and left the biggest void OU needs to fill before the 2025 college football season kicks off against Illinois State on Aug. 30.
Sooners need someone to step up without Stutsman
Even while enduring a 6-7 season, the Sooners still boasted a top-20 defense last year. The only big losses from the starting lineup were NFL bound Stutsman, safety Billy Bowman Jr. and defensive end Ethan Downs.
OU did a tremendous job retaining defensive talent and keeping contributing defenders out of the Transfer Portal. The Sooners also added safety/linebacker Kendal Daniels and defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., who could both crack the starting lineup this season. However, OU's biggest loss to the portal on the defensive side was linebacker Dasan McCullough, who transferred to Nebraska.
Heading into fall camp. Kobie McKinzie looks to replace Stutsman at middle linebacker. McKinzie, a redshirt junior, was behind Stutsman the last three seasons and started at MLB in the Armed Forces Bowl when Stutsman sat out.
However, there's little help behind McKinzie, at least with proven experience. Jaren Kanak was the only other middle linebacker listed on the depth chart last season, but he has since converted to tight end. That likely leaves Owen Heinecke as McKinzie's backup. Most of Heinecke's time so far has come on special teams.
Although playing weakside linebacker, Kip Lewis will be the guy needed to step up and fill Stutsman's void. Lewis started almost every game next to Stutsman last season. With no Stutsman in the Armed Forces Bowl, Lewis led the Sooners with six tackles.
Stutsman's production will surely be missed, and Lewis is the best bet there, but what might be irreplaceable is Stutsman's leadership at the heart of the defense and in the locker room.
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