How OU football star Danny Stutsman is embracing leadership surge since decision to return

DALLAS — Danny Stutsman slid his way up three stairs to the interview table and in front of the horde of local and SEC media.

This wasn’t the moment Stutsman has been waiting for since he decided a few months ago to return for his senior season, but it was a step in that direction for OU’s star linebacker.

“We’re excited,” Stutsman said of the Sooners’ move to the SEC. “We’ve trained so much. There’s been a lot of talk. To have the opportunity to go out there and just prove who we are in a new conference, it’s a great opportunity. We’re honored. We’re blessed to be a part of it. It’s a lot of the reason I came back. I wanted to help be there and lead us into that new journey.”

Stutsman is the backbone of an OU defense that is expected to be the strength of the team this season.

He’s been at the heart of Brent Venables’ defensive rebuild process over the last three seasons, as Stutsman embraced a leadership role quickly after Venables’ arrival.

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Over the last two seasons, he’s combined for 229 tackles, 26.5 for loss. He’s also had three interceptions.

Last season, he was named a second-team Walter Camp All-American, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and was a Lombardi Award semifinalist.

But Stutsman’s impact goes way beyond those numbers.

Venables said that was apparent as Stutsman worked through the process of deciding whether or not he would declare for the NFL Draft.

“What I have the most appreciation about is his motives are pure,” Venables said of Stutsman’s decision to return. “And certainly he’s got big dreams to be an NFL player, but the humility and decision-making process and, ‘I’m not … yeah, I can get drafted at a pretty high level’ — he had an excellent grade and I’ve had plenty of guys take the grade and go with it. But he wants to go and have a long career in the NFL, a career of longevity, one that he can immediately show up to the NFL — the most difficult league on the planet — and make an impact wherever he is.”

Stutsman said Venables’ approach to the decision helped Stutsman decide to stay.

“He’s always gonna shoot straight with you,” Stutsman said. “He really told me, ‘Look, Oklahoma’s gonna win with you or without you.’ I firmly believe that. The program has been amazing before I got here. It’s gonna be amazing after I leave. But that’s just a guy that’s always gonna tell the truth. You can always trust him.”

Stutsman figures to have more help at linebacker this season.

Kip Lewis slid into the starting lineup for the final five games last season and figures to start alongside Stutsman again this season.

Jaren Kanak, Kobie McKinzie, Samuel Omosigho and Lewis Carter figure to add depth as well.

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It’s a much different situation than the one Stutsman arrived to a few years ago.

“I’m proud,” Stutsman said of the growth of the linebacker room. “When I look at that team since when they got on campus, especially being the older guy now, I can look at everyone from when they got to campus to where they’re at today, it just puts a smile on my face. … Those guys are gonna be amazing players from the university. To see them, see their growth and be a part of that, I feel like a proud dad.”

But Stutsman wants his leadership to extend beyond just the linebackers.

“I’m teaching those young guys, getting the DBs ready, getting the secondary (ready),” Stutsman said. “If the D-line has questions, I want them to come to me. You don’t have to go to Coach (Todd) Bates. Just kind of figure that thing out. I want to be a resource for them. I want to have that knowledge where I’m kind of a little defensive coordinator on the field.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How OU football star Danny Stutsman is embracing leadership surge since decision to return