Danny Stutsman LB Oklahoma | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Danny Stutsman LB Oklahoma
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/24/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (92%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 03/10/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 02/24/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (92%*) | |
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 03/10/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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79% |
| Pass Rush: |
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73% |
| Run Defense: |
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92% |
| Coverage: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#89
Position rank:
#7
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| College Games: 44 College Snaps: 2492 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chad Muma - Wyoming |
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83% |
| Pete Werner - Ohio State |
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75% |
| Quay Walker - Georgia |
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73% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A former high school two-way star who racked up over 3,000 all-purpose yards and 43 touchdowns while terrorizing offenses with 333 career tackles, Danny Stutsman brought that same Swiss Army knife mentality to Norman. The 6'4", 241-pound linebacker emerged as more than just a tackling machine – he became the heart of the Sooners' defense, starting 37 games over his final three seasons.The athletic bloodlines run deep – both parents were college athletes at Baylor – and that pedigree shows up in Stutsman's game. After earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors in 2022 with 125 tackles, he took his game to another level in 2023, garnering Second-Team All-American recognition while racking up 104 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in just 12 games. His senior campaign saw him earn consensus All-American honors and cement his legacy, finishing with 109 tackles and landing among Oklahoma's all-time top 10 in career stops with 376.
What jumps off the tape is Stutsman's rare combination of size and fluid movement skills. His frame carries 241 pounds incredibly well, and his 4.62 speed shows up consistently when ranging sideline-to-sideline or charging downhill. While he began his college career as a relatively unheralded three-star recruit, Stutsman's relentless motor and natural playmaking ability quickly made him one of the Big 12's most feared defenders before helping lead Oklahoma's transition into the SEC.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional run-game recognition and reaction time – consistently diagnoses plays pre-snap and flows to the ball with controlled aggression and proper angles
- Downhill trigger is electric when blitzing – uses impressive burst and a devastating rip move to slice through gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield
- Natural feel for navigating traffic at the second level, showing nimble footwork and lateral agility to slither through chaos while maintaining balance
- Coverage versatility really pops on tape – fluid enough to handle man coverage on backs/tight ends while showing good awareness dropping into zone
- Brings the thunder as a tackler when he squares up – consistently delivers bone-rattling hits that make receivers think twice about crossing the middle
- High-level football IQ shows up in pre-snap communication and adjustment – consistently gets the defense aligned properly and makes late shifts
- Special teams demon who dominated on all coverage units – rare trait for a player of his caliber that will translate immediately to NFL value
- Natural leader who commanded respect through his preparation and practice habits – teammates consistently praise his work ethic and film study
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited change of direction skills show up in coverage – lacks fluid transitions when matching route breaks underneath
- Struggles with spatial awareness in zone drops – often caught flat-footed against crossing routes and intermediate throws
- Block engagement technique needs significant refinement – too easily controlled when offensive linemen get their hands on him
- Shows some stiffness in his hips that limits coverage upside – not a natural mover when forced to turn and run vertically
- Tackling form deteriorates in space – relies too heavily on arm tackles rather than breaking down and driving through contact
Scouting Report: Summary
Stutsman profiles as a throwback downhill linebacker who will make his biggest impact as an early-down run defender and blitz weapon. His instincts and physicality in the box give him immediate value against the run, while his special teams experience provides a clear path to early playing time.The athleticism and frame are there for him to develop into more, but he'll need significant technical refinement in coverage to earn three-down trust at the next level. Smart defensive coordinators will protect him early by limiting his coverage responsibilities while unleashing him as a blitzer in sub packages.
The team that drafts Stutsman will be getting a culture-setting presence whose intensity and work ethic will elevate the linebacker room from day one. While he may never be elite in coverage, his ability to impact the run game and rush the passer gives him clear value as a rotational piece with upside to develop into a quality starter in the right scheme.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
Danny Stutsman percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Danny Stutsman (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
80.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
10.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.