When playing the linebacker position at any level, not only will you be asked to be a field general on defense, but you may be asked to be a Swiss Army knife for your defensive coordinator to deploy versus a high powered offense.
Nowadays, linebackers are expected to be elite in coverage versus tight ends and running backs, but nothing replaces a good thumper in the middle of your defense. Enter Danny Stutsman.
Coming to Oklahoma from Winter Garden, Florida, Danny made an immediate impact early in his college football career. He saw action across 10 games in 2021, tallying 38 tackles, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles. 2022 saw his production skyrocket, as he accounted for 124 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions.
In 2023, Danny continued his high flying production with 104 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. 2023 also saw Danny bring home Third Team AP All-American Honors, as well as Second Team Walter Camp All-American honors for this play In 2023. With his frame (6-4, 241 lbs.)
Danny has the perfect size for a man in the middle of an NFL defense, as well as his consistent continuous production shows a player who is always striving to be better, each and every year.
Player Info
Name: Danny Stutsman
Jersey: No. 28
Position: Linebacker
School: University of Oklahoma
Class: Senior
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 241 lbs.
Danny Stutsman’s Strengths
Danny’s frame is one of his biggest strengths, as it lends itself to being a strong tackler, rarely allowing missed tackles in the open field. With this size, he also can match up physically versus running backs and tight ends in the NFL, and not worry about giving up size to these players. He shows an elite level instinct in the run game, often beating blockers to the point of attack and having a knack for ending up right where the runner ends up.
He also has versatility, playing all 3 linebacker positions at Oklahoma, having success at all 3 positions. His durability is another huge plus, as he has stayed healthy throughout his playing career.
Danny Stutsman’s Weaknesses
While Danny is amazing in the run game and is a thumper who can deliver a hit, his pass coverage skills are limited due to his average athleticism. He could struggle against more athletic or quicker tight ends/running backs.
He also may struggle in pass rush situations, as he doesn’t have a lot of pass rush moves in his toolbox. Due to this, he often ends up relying on his effort and motor to beat the offensive lineman over technique.
There is also the occasional overrun/over-aggression by Danny, which leads to additional missed opportunities in the backfield to stop runs cold.
My biggest knock on him? He often bites too hard on play fakes/play action plays, and with his limited athleticism, these bites often take him out of the play when they occur.
Draft Projection
I currently think Danny sits as a top 75 prospect in this class, and likely hears him name called somewhere between rounds 2-3.
The issues with his athleticism and biting on play fakes/play action will push him down some teams boards, but a team with a need for a sure tackler, who is a great downhill linebacker, will be getting an excellent player in Danny. Some teams that I think will be in on Danny:
- Arizona Cardinals (as a team giving up the 5th most rushing yards so far this season, the Cardinals could use a run stuffing linebacker like Stutsman in the middle of their defense to shore that up.)
- Houston Texans (Giving Ryans a thumper in the middle of this defense, means he would have a budding star at all 3 levels of his defense: Anderson at Edge rusher, Stutsman at Linebacker, Stingley at Cornerback)
- Indianapolis Colts (Like the Cardinals, the Colts are allowing the 2nd most rushing yards, and can use a guy like Danny to help shore up their run defense. In addition, Danny can use his versatility across all 3 linebacker positions, giving Bradley another Swiss Army knife behind this defensive line in Indianapolis.)
Ultimately, whoever selects Danny has to understand his strengths and limitations, and accept those limitations. However, you can expect Danny to come into the NFL and pile up tackles early and often, as well as the occasional sack and interception in the middle of a defense in the NFL.
– getting that value in the middle of Round 2? A no brainer, in my opinion.
