Stutsman, Bowman Jr. Selected in NFL Draft Fourth Round

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman Jr. were selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday in Green Bay, Wis. Stutsman was chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the 10th pick of the round (No. 112 overall) while Bowman Jr. was taken by the Atlanta Falcons with the 16th selection of the round (No. 118 overall).

Stutsman became the third OU linebacker drafted in the last six years (first since Brian Asamoah in 2022) and the 11th Brent Venables-coached Sooners linebacker selected in the draft. Bowman Jr. was the first Sooners defensive back drafted since safety Delarrin Turner-Yell in 2022.

This marked the 30th straight year and 55th time in the last 56 years OU had at least two players selected in the NFL Draft. It also marked the first time since 2004 the Sooners did not have an offensive player drafted.

LINEBACKER DANNY STUTSMAN

A product of Windermere, Fla., Stutsman played in 47 career games and started each of his last 37 (all over the last three seasons), totaling 376 career tackles to rank ninth in Oklahoma history. He is tied for fifth among OU inside linebackers with his 36.0 career tackles for loss. He also totaled 8.0 career sacks and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. With his team-high 109 tackles last season, Stutsman registered triple-digit tackles in three consecutive campaigns. He was the first Sooner with triple-digit tackles in three consecutive seasons since Travis Lewis (2008-10).

The 6-3, 236-pound Stutsman, who was a 2024 consensus All-American, Butkus Award finalist and first-team All-SEC selection, started all 12 games at middle linebacker and ranked sixth in the SEC and 34th nationally in total tackles. He also ranked fourth in the SEC and 21st nationally by averaging 9.1 tackles per game. He added 8.0 tackles for loss, one sack and three QB hurries to his ledger last season.

"I know Danny is really soaking up this moment and I am so proud of him," said Venables. "He grew so much on and off the field in my three years with him and was one of our program's unquestioned leaders. He's earned every bit of this opportunity, and I know he will make the absolute most of it. New Orleans is getting a hard-nosed, gritty, athletic linebacker who gives his absolute all on every play and is as detailed in his preparation as anybody. He's one of the best linebackers in the storied history of Oklahoma Football and I can't wait to follow everything he does at the next level. He's got an incredibly bright future."

Stutsman was named a 2024 first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation and the American Football Coaches Association, and was listed on the All-America second teams by the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America and Sporting News. He was also a recipient of OU's Don Key Award, the program's highest annual honor.

Against Missouri on Nov. 9, Stutsman logged a career-high 19 tackles, the most by a Sooner since the 2018 season. He logged double-digit tackles four times and at least 15 tackles three times in 2024, and led the Sooners in tackles in eight of his 12 games.

In 2023, Stutsman was named a second-team Walter Camp All-American and a third-team All-American by the AP, an All-Big 12 First Team selection and a Lombardi Award semifinalist. He was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after logging 17 tackles (2.5 TFLs), a QB hurry and a fumble recovery against SMU.

Stutsman started all 13 games in 2022 and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition. That season, his first as a starter, he led the Big 12 Conference with 125 total tackles and ranked 18th nationally and first in the Big 12 by averaging 9.6 tackles per game. He played in 10 games as a true freshman in 2021, totaling 38 tackles (1.5 TFLs and one sack) and two forced fumbles.

Stutsman served as a game captain 10 times over the last three seasons, including six times in 2024, and was voted as a permanent team captain at the end of his sophomore season in 2022, and then again in 2023.

A four-star prospect out of high school, Stutsman ranked as the No. 180 overall player in the country, the nation's No. 13 outside linebacker and the No. 21 player in Florida by 247Sports. He graduated from OU in December 2024 with a degree in multidisciplinary studies.

SAFETY BILLY BOWMAN JR.

Bowman Jr. started 41 of his 47 career games over four seasons, racking up 199 tackles (9.0 for loss), 11 interceptions (totaling 251 return yards), two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 14 pass breakups. He also registered four defensive touchdowns, returning three interceptions and a fumble for scores. He led the country over the 2022 and '23 seasons with his 249 interception return yards and ranked third nationally with his nine interceptions over those two seasons.

The 5-10, 196-pounder earned third-team All-SEC recognition in 2024 and was a recipient of OU's Don Key Award, the program's highest annual honor. Bowman Jr. started all 12 regular season contests (opted out of the bowl game) and totaled 54 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown), 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one QB hurry.

"I couldn't be happier for Billy," said Venables. "He gave OU everything he had for all four years and he will go down as one of the best DBs in program history. He's one of the most competitive guys I've ever coached, he laid it all on the line every single day and was a tone-setter and a rock for us. His combination of drive, intelligence, athleticism, relentless effort and loyalty have gotten him to this moment, and now he's on the doorstep of living out a lifelong dream. I couldn't be more thrilled for him and I will be in his corner every step of the way as he embarks on this journey with the Falcons."

Bowman Jr., who is from Denton, Texas, set school records in 2023 with his three interceptions returned for touchdowns and his 238 interception return yards, which helped him earn first-team All-America honors from CBS Sports/247Sports and first-team All-Big 12 recognition. He started all 13 games and ranked third on the team with his 63 total tackles and had 3.0 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. He ranked second nationally with his six interceptions and led the country in pick-sixes and interception return yardage. He was named the Thorpe Award National DB of the Week after returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown and notching a team-high nine tackles at BYU on Nov. 18.

In 2022, Bowman Jr. started nine of his 11 contests, totaling 60 tackles (2.0 for loss), three interceptions and five pass breakups, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention. As a true freshman in 2021, he played in 11 games and made seven starts (five at nickelback and two at cornerback). He totaled 22 tackles (1.5 for loss), two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Bowman Jr. served as a game captain eight times over the last three seasons, including four times in 2024, and was voted as a permanent team captain at the end of his junior season in 2023.

A consensus four-star and top-100 national recruit out of high school, Bowman Jr. ranked as the nation's No. 39 overall prospect and No. 2 athlete, and the No. 4 recruit in the state of Texas by 247Sports. He graduated from OU in December with a degree in multidisciplinary studies.