Skip to main content
oklahoma logo

Brent Venables gives praise to Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman following NFL Draft selections

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•about 14 hours•

BPrzybylo

Billy Bowman20
Former OU defensive back Billy Bowman, HC Brent Venables. (Bryan Terry - Imagn Images)

This was set to be a defensive NFL Draft for OU, and it has lived up to that billing so far. Linebacker Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman were both selected in the fourth round.

Stutsman got the ball rolling, being chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 112 overall pick in the fourth round early Saturday afternoon.

Bowman was quick to follow. Head coach Brent Venables gave an abundance of praise to both guys for everything they meant to OU and what’s to come for them going forward.

Venables on Stutsman:

“I know Danny is really soaking up this moment, and I am so proud of him. He grew up so much on and off the field in my three years with him and was one of our program’s unquestioned leaders. He’s earned every bit of this opportunity, and I know he will make the absolute most of it. New Orleans is getting a hard-nosed, gritty, athletic linebacker who gives his absolute all on every play and is as detailed in his preparation as anybody. He’s one of the best linebackers in the storied history of Oklahoma football, and I can’t wait to follow everything he does at the next level. He’s got an incredibly bright future.”

Just a few picks later, it was time for defensive back Billy Bowman to get his name called. It’s fitting it happened so close to Stutsman’s selection because Bowman and Stutsman had been intertwined as the heart and soul of OU’s defense for so long.

Bowman was picked by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 118 overall pick in the fourth round.

Venables on Bowman:

“I couldn’t be happier for Billy. He gave OU everything he had for all four years, and he will go down as one of the best DBs in program history. He’s one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever coached. He laid it all on the line every single day and was a tone-setter and a rock for us. His combination of drive, intelligence, athleticism, relentless effort and loyalty have gotten him to this moment. And now he’s on the doorstep of living out a lifelong dream. I couldn’t be more thrilled for him, and I will be in his corner every step of the way as he embarks on this journey with the Falcons.”

You may also like