Oklahoma junior linebacker Danny Stutsman has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, Sooner Scoop has learned. Stutsman informed head coach Brent Venables of the news on Wednesday and will not play in the Alamo Bowl.

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. He led the team with 99 total tackles — good second in the conference during his second season as Oklahoma’s starting linebacker.

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.

Before college, Stutsman played high school football at Foundation Academy (FL), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 388 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

In Statesman’s absence in the bowl game, Oklahoma will turn toward the likes of Jaren Kanak, Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie to pick up the extra work. The Sooners will play Arizona in the Alamo Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 9:15 p.m. ET and will be aired live on ESPN.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.