Brent Venables recaps process of Danny Stutsman's return to Oklahoma

Danny Stutsman announced that he would be leaving Oklahoma to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft on Dec. 6. His name was in the draft pool for five days before he decided it was best he return for a senior season.

His swift 360 begs the question of why he would retract his declaration so soon. That answer likely lies somewhere along the lines of the three acronyms of ‘SEC, NIL and CFP’ but he didn’t come to his decision alone. Sooners head coach Brent Venables explained the role he played in assisting Stutsman toward his ultimate decision to return and how it benefits everyone involved.

“These are life-changing kinds of decisions, a lot goes into it. I’m here to help however I can,” Venables said on Friday. “I will support the guys and whatever they decide to do, and I think Danny’s focused on all of the things that he’s already said. He’s coming back. Danny, as you all know, is, when it’s time to work — there’s nobody that is more committed, and he knows he’s got work to do.”

After being tabbed as a Big 12 honorable mention in 2022, Stutsman exploded onto the scene for the Sooners in 2023 as an anchor of Venables’ defense. Putting numbers to his importance, he also led the team with 99 total tackles to end the regular season — good for second in the conference during his second season as one of Oklahoma’s starting linebackers. 

He missed some time with an ankle injury late in the season but was still able to find himself on the list as a Big 12 Conference’s First-Teamer. Now, he’s all in on bowl prep before looking toward the offseason to improve himself not only for his team but his draft stock as well.

“He’s trying to improve his opportunity,” Venables said of Stutsman’s future in the NFL. “You get one opportunity to go to the NFL, the toughest league on the planet. You don’t want to go in kind of prepared, you wouldn’t show up to a Saturday game if you didn’t practice on Monday and Tuesday. He’s got to put all the work in and be as prepared as he can possibly be. I think that is, amongst other reasons, that he wants to finish college, he wants to have his degree in hand.

“He wants to be a senior, he wants to lead and help us transition into the SEC. I know that he has spoken and we’re excited to have him back. We’re committed to helping him every step of the way. We give him an opportunity to continue to get better — and that’s the thing that I love about Danny. He’s hungry, he’s never satisfied. He recognizes where he wants to make some improvement and he’ll be committed to do.

It’s no secret that Stutsman brings a lot to the table for the Sooners on the field and in the locker room, which is why it was so important for OU to retain his services heading into their first season in the SEC.

Before they get there, however, Venables, Stutsman and the rest of the Sooners are locked in on securing a victory in the Alamo Bowl over Arizona on Dec. 28.