Danny Stutsman reverses course, will return to OU for senior season
Danny Stutsman is returning to OU for another year, changing course from his original decision to leave early for the NFL Draft.
The All-Big 12 linebacker has been one of the Sooners’ most pivotal players the past two seasons, with one year of eligibility remaining. The expectation was that Stutsman would return for his senior season, leading OU into the SEC. But as SoonerScoop.com reported Dec. 6, Stutsman informed the coaching staff he was leaving for the NFL.
Stutsman has since changed his mind and will return to Norman for one final season.
“SEC, see you soon,” is how Stutsman concluded his video that was narrated by OU linebacker legend Brian Bosworth.
“You know, greatness has a way of finding its way back to where it belongs,” said The Boz in the narration. “And in the world of football, there is a legacy that never dies. That legacy resides right here at the University of Oklahoma. It’s time to continue the tradition. It’s time to add another chapter to the legacy of linebackers who wore that crimson and cream. Now? It’s your turn, Danny Boy. Sooner Nation, buckle up and enjoy the ride.”
This change of heart came after Stutsman spoke with the coaching staff again, as well as his family. Stutsman originally received a third-round draft grade and believed it would be difficult to improve that grade. In the past week, though, his mindset has flipped.
When coach Brent Venables was asked about Stutsman’s decision on Dec. 7, he did not answer either way on what Stutsman will do.
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“Everything has its time,” Venables said. “Whenever Danny is prepared to let everybody know what his future is going to look like, out of respect for him, I’ll reserve comment for that moment in time. Danny had an amazing year, as good of a leader as we have on our team, as good of a leader as I’ve been around. His passion, love, his respect that he has for his teammates and his teammates have for him.
“Leadership, I’ve never looked at it as a position. I think it’s about action. He’s represented everything that you would want from a leader. He’s made everybody around him better. There’s not a player in our locker room that loves the University of Oklahoma and respects his opportunity and what this has meant for him and his life more than Danny Stutsman.”
Certainly, there was come persuading from the coaching staff to get Stutsman to stay. And with junior safety Billy Bowman announcing his decision to return on Dec. 8, that also could have played a factor in Stutsman wanting to be apart of next year’s team.
Either way, it’s a big win for OU. Stutsman has led the Sooners in tackles each of the past two seasons, totaling 99 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss this season. With he and Bowman back for 2024, Oklahoma could have one of the better defenses in the SEC.
