Oklahoma’s defense is going to be key heading into the 2024 college football season. As the Sooners join the SEC — the sport’s toughest league — hoisting a stout defense will be essential for the program to turn heads and exceed expectations. This also poses an opportunity for defenders to stand out. This will help Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman, who returned to Norman when he could have taken off for the NFL Draft after a standout season.
Playing another season of college football poses a huge opportunity for Stutsman. After breaking out a season ago, he can inflate his draft value by finding success in the SEC, which will be easier with an improved Sooners defense. He projects to be an early draft pick, likely landing in one of the first two rounds. In a recent 2025 NFL mock draft by Fox Sports, Stutsman was selected late in the first round.
Stutsman lands with Dallas Cowboys in 2025 NFL mock draft
Fox Sports’ Rob Rang wrote a 2025 NFL mock draft shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft cycle concluded. With the draft being in the rearview mirror, undrafted free agents being signed and rookie minicamps underway across the league, it’s time to check out the next crop of NFL talent.
The Oklahoma star linebacker is going to be among the best talents in the upcoming draft pool. In the mock draft, Rang has Stutsman being drafted at pick No. 26, landing with the Dallas Cowboys. This would be a good fit for Stutsman, allowing him to shoulder a big responsibility early in his NFL career.
“After leading the Big 12 in tackles in 2022 and earning All-American accolades (despite battling injury) a year ago, Stutsman was thought to be a shoo-in to join the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, by returning, the rangy 6-foot-4, 241 has a chance at being the first off-ball linebacker selected next spring. He certainly checks boxes for his playmaking ability, recording 267 tackles, including 28 tackles for loss already,” Rang wrote.
If Stutsman is selected in the first round, the choice to return to Norman for one more season will have more than paid off. Sure, he could have made the league this past offseason, but it would have been in the second or third round more than likely. The pay difference will be worth it, he’ll still collect NIL money and he’s going to further cement a legacy in Norman, helping the Sooners transition into the SEC.
Stutsman is building off incredible 2023 campaign
Last year was Stutsman’s third year playing as a Sooner. Wearing the crimson and cream, he totaled 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, three passes defended and two forced fumbles. The defense looked improved early on, and it showed signs of improvement en route to Oklahoma’s 10-3 season.
Heading into the SEC, the Sooners bolstered the defensive line, giving more talent for Stutsman to support as a linebacker. His job is going to get easier, though the competition will get more difficult. While the 2024 college football season will be defining for the Sooners, it’ll be huge for Stutsman to solidify his status as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
READ MORE: Early Betting Odds For Oklahoma Sooners’ 2024 College Football Schedule
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