OU linebacker Danny Stutsman a 2024 Consensus All-American
The team success wasn’t there for OU in 2024, everybody understands that. But linebacker Danny Stutsman was adamant about not regretting his decision to return.
He put together one last solid season and now has the honor to go with it. Stutsman was named a Consensus All-American on Thursday morning, announced by the NCAA.
Stutsman becomes OU’s 83rd consensus All-American and first since wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in 2019. He is the first Sooner linebacker to receive consensus All-America status since Curtis Lofton in 2007, and the ninth linebacker in school history to be named a consensus All-American.
“How about him being an All-American,” said head coach Brent Venables last week. “And really cool. First Team All-SEC in his first year. I’m really proud and thankful for all the seniors but certainly the growth and maturity that has taken place with Danny. To me, having a guy that has a legacy somewhere comes from making the place better than when you got there. If he’s done something, he’s done that. And he’s left his mark.
“Certainly, he’s done that to the whole locker room and to the University but man, he’s done that on defense. Where we were when we got here to where we are today, man, two different hemispheres. And it’s his dedication, his persistence, his passion, his love, his commitment, his body of work along with several other seniors.”
The NCAA recognizes consensus All-Americans as players who were listed on the most first-team All-America squads, competing against other players at each position. To be selected, a player must be a first-team honoree by at least two of the following five All-America teams: American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation. Stutsman was one of three linebackers who were first-team All-Americans by at least two of the five selectors, joining Iowa’s Jay Higgins and Buffalo’s Shaun Dolac.
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Stutsman received first- or second-team All-America recognition from each of the five selectors recognized by the NCAA. He was named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation and the AFCA last week. And was listed on the All-America second teams by the AP, FWAA and Sporting News this week. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award and a first-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches and media.
Leaving a legacy
Stutsman started all 12 games at middle linebacker this season and ranks fourth in the SEC and 24th nationally with his team-high 109 total tackles with 8.0 tackles for loss and a sack.
Stutsman has played in 47 career games and started each of his last 37 (all over the last three seasons). The 376 career tackles has him ninth in OU history. He is tied for fifth among OU inside linebackers with his 36.0 career tackles for loss. He also totaled 8.0 career sacks and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Stutsman served as a game captain 10 times over the last three seasons. That includes six times this year. He was voted as a permanent team captain at the end of his sophomore season in 2022. And then again in 2023.
