Oklahoma Linebacker Named to Nagurski Award Watch List
After leading the Big 12 in tackles last season, Sooners' linebacker Danny Stutsman was named to the 2023 Nagurski Award watch list on Tuesday.
Stutsman is one of the most recognizable players on Brent Venables' defense, as he has a big personality and is active on social media. The Florida native is also a leader for OU, however, and represented the team at Big 12 Media Days in July.
Stutsman, a former 4-star recruit, notched 125 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and five pass breakups as a sophomore in 2022. Now a junior, the Foundation Academy (FL) alumni is listed at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, which is prototypical size for a modern linebacker.
In addition to his size, Stutsman plays with great speed, and is able to fly downhill and deliver a glancing blow to ball carriers while also being able to run sideline-to-sideline. The big defensive line transfers that Oklahoma brought in through the transfer portal may also help Stutsman pad his stats this season, as the trench players could take on double teams that would free up the quick linebacker to make plays in the backfield.
At Big 12 Media Days, Venables praised Stutsman, saying that the veteran linebacker is much more familiar with his roles and responsibilities in the Sooners' defense than he was last season.
The Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football. Alabama edge Will Anderson Jr. is the reigning back-to-back Nagurski Award winner, with Hominy (OK) High School product Zaven Collins taking home the trophy in 2020.
The last OU player to win the Nagurski Award was Derrick Strait in 2003. Roy Williams, who was the Nagurski Award winner in 2001, is the only other Sooner to earn the trophy.
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