Danny Stutsman opens up on his relationship with Sooners legend Brian Bosworth

Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman is taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from one of the best to ever don the crimson and cream. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Stutsman revealed how former Sooners linebacker Brian “the Boz” Bosworth has been instrumental in his growth this season.

Bosworth was on the sidelines at the Red River Shootout this past weekend, offering advice to Stutsman and the OU defense. Stutsman finished the game with nine tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in a 34-30 victory against Texas and talked about how the Sooners legend helped him in that game.

“Throughout the entire game, the Boz was on the sideline,” Stutsman said. “When you have one of the greatest linebackers to ever play, really kind of revolutionized the position, when he tells you something and he’s like, ‘you gotta find the over by the tight end,’ obviously you’re thinking that right away. Because this guy knows what he’s talking about.”

Bosworth played at Oklahoma from 1984-86, helping lead the team to a national title during the 1985 season. He was a two-time All-American as well as a two-time Butkus Award winner during his college career, and even was the feature of the 2014 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “Brian and the Boz.”

Since Brent Venables took over as head coach last season, Bosworth has been more involved in the football program. Stutsman revealed that he has spoken with the team ahead of each of the past two seasons.

That advice has helped the Sooners defense to rank 11th in the country in points allowed per game (14.0), and has been particularly impactful on Stutsman.

“The Boz, he’s come by and he’s been a part of the program a lot more,” the linebacker said. “He spoke to the team before the season. He spoke to the team last year. Just all about mindset and attitude and how the guy handles himself. Anything he says, I’m like a sponge for that knowledge. He’s been through it. He knows exactly what it takes and exactly what it looks like.”

The effect of that has been evident on Stutsman, who currently leads the Big 12 and ranks 12th in the country with 58 tackles this season. He also has 11 tackles for loss, which is good for second in the conference and sixth nationally.

Danny Stutsman has taken on the role of leading the Oklahoma defense, similar to how Bosworth did many years ago. As expectations for the team continue to rise with OU climbing to No. 5 in the AP poll this past week, he’ll continue to lean on that advice to get the Sooners where they want to go.