Despite a Big 2022, Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman is Unconcerned With Stats
NORMAN — Oklahoma held its first game-week media availability of the 2023 season on Monday and defensive coordinator Ted Roof offered insights on what motivates the team's defensive leader.
After offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby's press conference, Roof took the podium and also discussed various topics surrounding fall camp and Saturday's 11 a.m. season opener against Arkansas State.
Roof mentioned the No. 20-ranked Sooners' competitive depth at a number of positions, including linebacker, and had plenty to say about junior Danny Stutsman.
With Kobie McKinzie, Jaren Kanak and Kip Lewis entering their second year in Norman, all three will likely factor into Brent Venables' defensive rotation. Additionally, the Sooners brought in former Ferris State All-American Konnor Near and multiple talented freshman to bolster the team's linebacker unit.
"(The team's depth at linebacker is) a lot farther along than it was," Roof said. "Again, our guys have done a good job of growing, maturing, taking coaching. So much of the offseason, certainly, is devoted to your upcoming opponents, but it’s also self-scouting: What do we got to get better at? What are specific areas we have to get better at as a unit, as a position group, also as an individual player? They’ve all done a nice job with that.”
Last season, Stutsman and David Ugwoegbu, who transferred to Houston over the offseason, anchored OU's linebacker corps. With almost no experience behind Stutsman and Ugwoegbu in 2022, the two were forced to play what felt like every snap on defense.
While this did help create an opportunity for Stutsman to lead the conference in tackles last year, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior admitted at Big 12 Media Days that he was exhausted late in games during the Sooners' 2022 campaign.
"Coach Venables talked a lot about competitive depth, and that's something that we have now," Stutsman said. "Where I'm from, back in Florida, I'm used to playing every single down. I mean, I got to admit, sometimes later in the games it kind of hurt us. ... Having a player, you know, to come in and take some reps, it does help. It does help the longevity of games. You know, getting that breather so you're fresher in the fourth quarter, it does matter."
With more depth in Roof's position group, Stutsman won't have to play as many snaps in the early stages of each game, meaning that he should be more fresh in the fourth quarter. While this may detract from the Windermere, FL, native's stats, it could help improve his performance from snap-to-snap.
Roof pointed out that Stutsman isn't concerned with his stats, and is focused on helping the team win.
"I think if you ask Danny, I don’t think he’s concerned with stats," Roof said. "The stat that he’s concerned with is winning and losing. ... Again, it goes back to his, No. 1 being that he wants to win, regardless of how many tackles he has.”
At Big 12 Media Days, Stutsman echoed a similar sentiment, saying that he is unmoved by stats and personal accolades.
"None of those lists really do anything for me," Stutsman said in Arlington. "Personal accolades, personal stats, that's not my motivation. Obviously, where we were last year, I think the only goal can be a top five defense and that's something that I will strive to do. Maybe I don't have as many tackles, but as long as the defense does their job, I'll be a happy man."
In addition to the added depth at linebacker, a few new faces on the defensive line should also help Stutsman have another solid season.
Over the summer, OU added transfer defensive lineman Da'Jon Terry and Phillip Paea, two interior players who will be able to absorb double-teams and create opportunities for Stutsman and the Sooners' other linebackers to make easy tackles at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. Newcomers Jacob Lacey and Davon Sears also could help on the inside. Same with defensive ends Rondell Bothroyd and Trace Ford.
If Stutsman does improve his play after a solid outing as a sophomore, it would not be shocking to see the speedy linebacker garner heavy interest from NFL teams.
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