Stormin in Norman
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Two Sooner defensive players (you read it right) earn preseason All-America honors from Athlon Sports

By Chip Rouse

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) runs after TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) as he throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Oklahoma won 69-45.
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) runs after TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) as he throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Oklahoma won 69-45. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY
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In recent years, any Oklahoma football players earning either pre- or postseason All-America status have been predominately from the offensive side of the ball. That is going to change under defensive-minded Brent Venables.

Of course Oklahoma has had All-Americans on the defensive side -- names like Rocky Calmus, Roy Williams, Tommie Harris, Gerald McCoy and Derrick Strait -- come quickly to mind -- but not so much recently.

In Brent Venables' first season as the new head coach at OU in 2022, for example, the Sooners ranked 122nd out of 131 FBS teams in total defense. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they're in the top-25 or 30 in that category in 2024.

The Oklahoma defense has been transformed in Venables' two seasons as head coach of the Sooners, and a big reason for that are the contributions of two returning seniors, linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman, who are among the best players at their position in Division 1 college softball.

Both Stutsman and Bowman are sure to find their names on one or more preseason watch lists for 2024 college football individual awards, but to get the party started both players have been named preseason All-Americans by Athlon Sports. Stutsman was named to the first team, and Bowman was a third-team preseason selection.

Stutsman led the Big 12 in tackles (125) in 2022 and collected 104 last season. He was named a second-team Walter Camp All-American last season and a third-team AP All-American. He was a first-team All-Big 12 selection.

Bowman was also named to the All-Big 12 First Team last season and was a CBS Sports/247Sports first-team All-American selection in 2023. He ranked second nationally a year ago with six interceptions and lead the country with three interception returns for a touchdown and 238 interception return yards.

Both players are being counted on to lead an improved Oklahoma defense that should be well-equipped with both experience and talent to be competitive and challenging against the top offensive teams the Sooners will face in their brutally tough 2024 SEC schedule.

And in case you're wondering, the Sooners are ranked 16th in the Athlon Sports 2024 preseason top-25 rankings.

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