Brent Venables addresses Danny Stutsman's future with Oklahoma

Per reports out of Norman, Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman has made it known that he will be off to the NFL Draft. Although he didn’t confirm that decision, Brent Venables took a moment on Thursday to speak incredibly highly of the junior anchor on their defense.

Venables recently spoke about Stutsman and any potential decision of his following the news on Wednesday. He chose to not speak further on Stutsman’s own business until he himself decided it was time to share that.

“Everything has its time,” said Venables during his press conference for the Alamo Bowl. “Whenever Danny is prepared to let everybody know what his future is going to look like? Out of respect for him, I’ll reserve comment for that moment in time.”

However, Venables did share his glowing review of Stutsman as he continued. He praised him as a player, as a teammate, as a leader, and a representative of the Sooners over the course of his three seasons with the program.

“All that being said, Danny had an amazing year,” said Venables. “As good of a leader as we have on our team, as good of a leader as I’ve been around. His passion, love, his respect that he has for his teammates and his teammates have for him?

“Leadership? I’ve never looked at it as a position. I think it’s about action. He has represented everything that you would want from a leader. He has made everybody around him better,” Venables continued. “There’s not a player in our locker room that loves the University of Oklahoma and respects his opportunity and what this has meant for him and his life more than Danny Stutsman.”

Stutsman has posted 261 tackles during his career at Oklahoma. He also has seven pass deflections, seven sacks, four forced fumbles, and three interceptions with one going for a touchdown.

After finishing with 124 tackles in 2022, Stutsman still led the team this season. Stutsman was one shy of 100 with 99, 38 more than second-best and fourth-best in the Big 12. He continued to be a menace in more than one in 2023 as well. He tied his career-highs in sacks (three) and forced fumbles (two) while also scoring the pick-six this season.

With no official word yet from Stutsman himself, there might be a chance that he returns for a senior season. However, with things pointing toward the next level,, Venables had nothing but love for Stutsman if this is indeed the end of his collegiate career.

“I have great thankfulness and appreciation for everything that Danny represents and what he has done to help us the last two years,” said Venables.