Brent Venables defends Danny Stutsman, evaluates his play

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables is proud of the progress from second-year linebacker Danny Stutsman this season. After serving in a reserve role as a true freshman, Stutsman moved into the starting lineup this season and has been one of the best players on the Sooners defense.

Stutsman has lived up to that role so far, and is currently tied for the Big 12 lead in tackles with 91. As OU prepares for Bedlam against Oklahoma State, Venables took time in his Tuesday press conference to highlight the progress from the linebacker.

“Danny leads the Big 12 in tackles per game, so that’s pretty good,” Venables said. “I know some people think he stinks, but I’m pretty proud of him. He’s gotten better. Like all growth patterns for young players, there’s gonna be some ebbs and flows. But I’m telling you, he’s on his way to being an outstanding player. He’s finding the football, he’s getting better. He’s really hard on himself. A great worker, is investing a lot of time into his craft and this team. Takes accountability when it’s not good, so he’s easy to coach. He’s playing with more and more confidence, and we’ve got to develop depth.”

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Stutsman has been all over the field this season, with two sacks, two interceptions and three passes defended in addition to his 91 tackles. As good as he has been, however, the Sooners have still struggled, ranking just eighth in the Big 12 in total defense. They are also just 5-5 with two games remaining, meaning they will break their streak of seven straight seasons with at least nine wins.

Venables pointed to youth as playing a major part in those struggles, saying the coaching staff still has plenty to teach as it gets ready for the final two games.

“If we were a little more detailed with some of our younger guys, he wouldn’t have to play as much,” Venables said. “I think he played 90 snaps last week, plus give or take six-to-eight special teams snaps. So late in the game, he’s not gonna be nearly as strong and good as he would be early in the game. I know this is at the end of the year, but you’ve gotta continue to develop guys around him as well. But he’s really maturing from where he was. I think he’d the be the first one to tell ya the maturity that’s take place mentally, like, ‘OK, this is how you become a good player. It’s not just by showing up every day. I’ve actually got to spend a lot of time working on my craft both on the field, in the film room and certainly in the weight room.’

“But he’s got great awareness. For you to create change, you’ve gotta have awareness and then you’ve gotta have self-accountability and then the action. He’s putting in the work, so I’m really proud of him and the improvement that he’s made. He’s still got a long ways to go, and he knows that. But he’s made tremendous improvement from where we started spring football.”

Stutsman will look to continue his impressive season when Oklahoma kicks off against the Cowboys at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Norman.