2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman

Strengths

• Improved play recognition across four years at Oklahoma
• Sideline-to-sideline speed (4.52-second 40-yard dash at combine)
• Effective A-gap blitzer
• Impressive nose for the football against the run
• Elite special teams upside that provides a higher floor

Weaknesses

• Can get lost in coverage, especially in zone looks
• Must learn how to shed blocks more quickly
• Gets out of position when his initial read is too slow
• Will need to improve attack angles against NFL speed
• Could be an early liability if a Day 1 starter

Bottom Line on Danny Stutsman

Stutsman is no stranger to getting overlooked. He was a modest 3-star prospect coming out of Florida’s Foundation Academy, according to 247Sports‘ composite rankings. He was ranked outside the top 400 prospects nationally and rated as the No. 47 linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class.

The 2024 First Team All-SEC selection made steady progress during his time with the Sooners, though. He finished his collegiate career with 376 total tackles, including 37 tackles for loss, eight sacks, eight passes defended, four forced fumbles, and three interceptions across 47 games.

Stutsman faced some questions about athleticism early in his Oklahoma tenure. Those stemmed from the fact that he looked a bit behind when chasing ball-carriers. In reality, it was more related to play recognition than speed or small-area quickness.

The linebacker put those concerns firmly to rest at the combine. He was third at the position in the 40-yard dash, and his 10-yard split (1.55 seconds) ranked fifth. He’s more than athletic enough to put together a long and successful NFL career.

Stutsman projects as a run-stuffing middle linebacker. It’s an area he excelled in, especially over the final couple of years at OU. He’s less refined in pass coverage, however, and could be taken off the field in obvious passing situations. That’s particularly true if he lands within a zone scheme.

Meanwhile, his first NFL impact may come on special teams. He has all the tools to make an impact in that niche role as a rookie if he doesn’t win a job in the starting lineup.

As it stands, Stutsman said his agent, Brian Bradtke, heard he’ll likely be a Day 2 or Day 3 pick. The draft is scheduled to kick off April 24 at Lambeau Field and run through April 26.

“I’ve heard that for sure,” Stutsman told Siddiqi. “I’ve heard that from my agent around there. Obviously, at the end of the day, all it takes is one team that really wants you bad enough. Hopefully, I’ll have the pleasure of going in between one and seven. At the end of the day, you have to be happy where you go. A team is taking a big commitment on you and just gotta be ready to make a name for yourself once you get on the lead.”

Ultimately, Stutsman should stick in the NFL for a long time, even if he doesn’t become a high-end defensive contributor. That makes him a safe middle-round target for linebacker-needy teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2025 NFL Draft Projection: Round 3 pick