Oklahoma Football with just one player on ESPN top 100

The Oklahoma Sooners enter 2025 without one of the key leaders during the Brent Venables era. Linebacker Danny Stutsman is off to the NFL after leading the Sooners defense over the last three seasons. He finished his career with three seasons of at least 100 tackles as the face of the program and leader of OU’s defensive resurgence.

Oklahoma’s recruited well on the defensive side of the ball, but after a 6-7 season, that talent isn’t getting a lot of respect as Stutsman was the only Sooner included in ESPN’s top 100 players for the 2024 season.

54. Danny Stutsman, LB

Stutsman was the leader of an Oklahoma defense that was much improved this past season, climbing from 79th in total defense (389.4 yards) in the FBS in 2023 to 19th (318.2). The senior from Windermere, Florida, ranked fourth in the SEC with 9.1 tackles per game and sixth with 110 stops overall. In three seasons, Stutsman had 376 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. In 2024, Stutsman had 16 stops in a 35-9 loss to South Carolina and a career-high 19 tackles in a 30-23 loss at Missouri. – Mark Schlabach, ESPN

Notable

38. John Mateer, QB (at Washington State)

Oklahoma Sooners are hoping the FBS leader in touchdowns will make a huge impact on Oklahoma’s offense. John Mateer has the ability to win with his legs and his arm and brings a leadership and a confidence with him to Norman. His understanding of Ben Arbuckle’s offense should make for a smoother transition for the Sooners.

9. Dillon Gabriel, QB (at Oregon)

The most notable transfer departure last offseason was Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel found an opportunity to compete for a national title with the Ducks and had a great season, going to New York as a Heisman finalist. But that season came to an abrupt halt as the Ducks were steamrolled by the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.

Offensive Ineptitude

When was the last time the Oklahoma Sooners failed to have one offensive player…