Key Oklahoma Sooners defensive star named a semifinalist for top positional award
While much of Oklahoma's 2024 season isn't going well, the defense has been stellar so far. They've been a much better unit this season than last, in all phases, and that turnaround has been orchestrated by linebacker Danny Stutsman. Stutsman is on the verge of moving into the top ten all-time in Oklahoma history in […]
While much of Oklahoma's 2024 season isn't going well, the defense has been stellar so far. They've been a much better unit this season than last, in all phases, and that turnaround has been orchestrated by linebacker Danny Stutsman.
Stutsman is on the verge of moving into the top ten all-time in Oklahoma history in tackles, and his presence is a battery that the rest of the team gets energy from.
His impact has earned him plenty of attention, and it's put him on the radar for a key award. Stutsman was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, handed out to college football's best linebacker.
Stutsman is one of 15 players nationally, including six from the SEC, named on the list of semifinalists for the Butkus Award.
Stutsman has played in 44 career games and started each of his last 34, totaling 344 career tackles to rank 11th in Oklahoma history (ninth among linebackers). He needs nine more to tie defensive end Kevin Murphy (1981-85) for 10th most in Sooners' history.
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His 35.5 career tackles for loss rank him seventh among Oklahoma linebackers (he needs 1.5 to move into the top four). Stutsman has also totaled 8.0 career sacks and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Butkus Award finalists will be named on November 25th and the winner will be announced December 10th. Stutsman is up against some steep competition for the award, including names like Barrett Carter (Clemson), Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Jalon Walker (Georgia), and Jay Higgins (Iowa).
If Stutsman were to win this award, he would bring the fifth Butkus Award in school history. Oklahoma has had three linebackers win the award since it was instituted in 1985: Brian Bosworth (two-time winner), Rocky Calmus, and Teddy Lehman.
Stutsman's impact on and off the field for Oklahoma has been crucial to resetting the culture of the program. Such an award would be a fitting way for his legacy to end with the Sooners, as the NFL beckons after this season.
