Oklahoma's Danny Stutsman Is Using Pressure To Be One of 'The Greats'
After a season of hardship and disappointment, the pressure is on for Brent Venables and Oklahoma in year two.
Venables’ voice on the field, Danny Stutsman, will shoulder much of the responsibility for the team’s turnaround.
Stutsman had a rock-solid statistical season a year ago, but the tape told a different story. It was hardly his fault, as Oklahoma’s entire defense looked dazed and confused during several of the seven total losses. The team’s leading tackler did his part with 125 tackles, but that couldn’t account for the buildup of mistakes across both levels of the defense.
Now a junior, Stutsman has taken on a leadership role within the defense — and received ringing endorsements from his defensive-minded head coach. He was even named to the Butkus Award Preseason watch list — the award almost created for Oklahoma linebackers. There’s mounting pressure to perform on the field and lead Oklahoma’s defensive turnaround, but that pressure isn’t scaring Stutsman off.
Instead, he's embracing it.
“It’s kind of exciting,” Stutsman said recently. “Pressure’s there, but pressure forms diamonds. All the greats had the pressure and managed it. I want to be one of those guys.”
All the greats had pressure because defense was a big part of Oklahoma’s legendary teams. The team’s defense led the way, and linebackers led the unit. For years, Oklahoma’s defense struck fear into the hearts of opponents.
Although it’ll be extremely difficult, and take loads of improvement in all areas, Stutsman has a path to become the Sooners’ fifth Butkus Award winner. The three different players to win the award? Well, those are the “greats” that he’s referencing.
Brian Bosworth, one of the greatest defensive players in college football history, won the first two Butkus Awards in 1985 and 1986. Rocky Calmus came next, taking home the trophy in 2001, and Teddy Lehman was the recipient in 2003.
When Bosworth was in charge of Oklahoma’s defense, he led the Sooners to a 31-4-1 record and three straight Orange Bowl appearances. A consensus first team All-American in both 1985 and 1986, Bosworth spearheaded Oklahoma to the 1985 National Championship, recording 13 solo tackles in the Orange Bowl against Penn State. The Sooners knocked off the Nittany Lions 25-10 behind Bosworth’s effort.
Calmus won the award in 2001, his senior season in Norman. He totaled 117 tackles, which landed him in Oklahoma's top-five career tacklers and capped an inspiring career that included a National Championship win over Florida State. Across the 2000 and 2001 seasons, Calmus led the Sooners to a 24-2 record, upholding Oklahoma’s dominance and giving Bob Stoops a leader in the middle of the field.
Lehman, Oklahoma’s fourth Butkus winner, led the Sooners' top-ranked defense to a 12-1 season, capped off with a trip to the BCS National Championship at the Sugar Bowl against LSU. The Sooners came up a touchdown short, but Lehman’s play on the field gave them a shot on the biggest stage. The senior led the team with 109 tackles, 57 solo, including 17 tackles for losses. He also tallied one sack, one interception and one forced fumble.
The common denominator between all three greats? Every time Oklahoma has been led by a Butkus winner on defense, the team has been in position to win a National Championship. If Stutsman can manage the pressure and lead the Sooners’ defensive turnaround, the sky’s the limit.
“He’s just more consistent,” Venables said. “He usually knows the answer to the test, even if he missed the question initially – he’ll know right away. But he’s had great humility. You can really coach him hard and that helps coach everybody hard. One of your better players, you can really hold accountable and hold him to a high standard. The way he accepts it, that’s what makes it better for everybody.”
The 6-foot-4, 241-pound junior from Windermere, FL, was busy last year with his 125 total tackles a season ago, including 10.5 for loss, three interceptions and five deflected passes. But Oklahoma’s team defense was nowhere near where it needed to be. If he can build on those numbers while leading Venables’ defense back to the top, the personal accolades and team success could follow.
The coaching staff and players are looking to Stutsman as the man in charge this fall. It’s a pivotal season not only for Venables and the staff, but also for the Sooners as a program. The team is heading to the SEC in 2024, and serious momentum is needed to make the transition. A 10-win season would do wonders, and another six-win season would be detrimental.
“When you step on this field, you can’t have an off day,” Stutsman said. “Everyone looks up to you to set the standard. So you’ve gotta push through that wall, those days you’re tired, your body hurts, you’ve gotta find a way to get past that because you know everyone’s looking at you and you’ve gotta be a spark plug for the defense.”
If Stutsman’s mindset translates to play on the field, the Sooners will be in a spot to finally improve. Oklahoma hasn’t been ranked inside the top 20 in team defense since 2009, 14 seasons ago. It’s not realistic to expect a full makeover like that, but steady progression will give the Sooners an upper hand in tough games down the stretch.
"He’s a tough guy," Venables said. "It’s a tough position. That, to me, should be the heart and soul of your defense, and up the middle of your defense. Danny’s got broad shoulders, and he cares a great deal. He accepts the challenge and responsibility of leading everybody. Expect him to have a fantastic year and for him to get the most out of his teammates.”
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