"It Was Really Exciting": Danny Stutsman on Meeting With Dallas Cowboys at NFL Combine

7 min read
Apr 1, 2025, 11:30 AM
Danny Stutsman #LB27 of Oklahoma participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine

Danny Stutsman #LB27 of Oklahoma participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Former All-American linebacker and NFL draft prospect Danny Stutsman has high expectations for himself.

As he prepares to hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft, Stutsman projects as one of the more intriguing prospects at the linebacker position. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker projects as a Day 2 or Day 3 pick after a prolific career with the Oklahoma Sooners, which included three straight 100-tackle seasons.

Stutsman turned in an equally impressive Combine performance, ranking third in the 40-yard dash and 10th in the vertical jump among all linebackers.

A Rookie of the Year Mindset

Needless to say, Stutsman is setting the standard as he enters his first year—he wants to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation.

“The first thing is, you gotta make the 53-man roster,” says Stutsman in a one-on-one interview with RG on behalf of his partnership with JBL. “You have to have the highest standards for yourself. I want to go out there, I want to contribute, I want to become a starter right away. I know it’s going to take a lot of time, a lot of effort, but obviously I see myself being in Rookie of the Year watch.”

While a lot certainly hinges on where Stutsman ends up landing, he says setting “huge” goals for himself early is key if he’s ever going to achieve them.

“Those are huge goals for a linebacker coming in early,” says Stutsman. “But if you’re not going to set those standards, you’re not going to shoot for the moon, it’s never going to happen if you’re not saying it right now.”

NFL Meetings and Family Ties

The Windermere, Florida, product—it’s in the Orlando area—mentions how he met with seven different teams at the Combine, including the likes of the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers.

“I met with seven teams, kind of a good range,” says Stutsman.

“I met with the Cowboys, the Bengals, the Ravens, the Giants, the Rams and the Steelers. My kind of experience with that, it’s really high tense. You go into those rooms, you have a wide group of executives and people that are in high-power positions, and they just want to see you, put you on the spot and see how you react in a tense moment like that.”

Stutsman mentions how the meeting with the Cowboys stood out to him because all of his family are Dallas fans. He says his dad is actually from Texas. However, Stutsman himself—a Florida native—is actually a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. The Buccaneers were not one of the teams that Stutsman mentioned meeting with, but playing for Tampa Bay would mean playing with fellow Sooners alum Baker Mayfield.

“My dad’s from Texas, so I grew up watching the Cowboys,” says Stutsman. “To be able to go in that room and just chop it up with all those guys and they know that connection, it was really exciting. All my family is a huge fan of the Cowboys, so it’s kind of a surreal experience in itself.”

College Success and Team Struggles

There’s little doubt that Stutsman was one of the most statistically prolific linebackers during his career at Oklahoma, but the team never reached expectations during his tenure there. The Sooners had won six consecutive Big 12 championships prior to Stutsman’s arrival. However, they didn’t win a single conference championship during his four years there.

Stutsman played his freshman season under Lincoln Riley before he took the USC Trojans job, then played his final three years under Brent Venables. The Sooners have been a mixed bag under Venables, turning in two 6–7 seasons with a 10–3 season sandwiched in between. While Oklahoma is still looking to achieve success under the 54-year-old head coach, Stutsman mentions what a positive influence Venables has been on him as a player.

“He is a really intense dude,” says Stutsman. “When you get on that football field, he’s giving you 110% energy, effort. He pours it out on every single play. He treats every play like it’s the biggest play, because in his mind it is. On the field you see that intensity, you see that care. But off the field, when you get him outside of football, you see the passion and the love that he has for his players. You know how much he truly cares.”

The high-ranking linebacker prospect acknowledges that he needs to be better in man coverage and be better with his tackling at the next level.

“First thing I need to do is my tackling needs to be more consistent,” Stutsman admits. “I feel like at the next level, there’s a lot of times in college I can get away with some of the angles and tackle pursuits that I made. At the next level, it’s not going to happen. Just gotta work on that. I feel like my man coverage needs to improve a bit. In our defense back at Oklahoma, it was a lot of zone premise and so I’d like to be able to get more comfortable in man technique.”

Modeling His Game After Fred Warner

When asked which linebacker he would compare himself to, Stutsman names another fellow middle linebacker in the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner. The 6-foot-3 Warner is considered one of the best linebackers in the NFL as a four-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl linebacker selection.

“At the end of the day, I am my own type of player,” says Stutsman. “But someone I kind of admired and I still admire is Fred Warner. The way he plays at such a high level is someone I try to emulate, he’s probably the pinnacle of linebackers right now in the NFL. To be able to watch him, watch his tape and hopefully try to imitate how he plays on the field.”

Stutsman mentions the similar stature between the two and the fact that they make similar calls as inside linebackers.

“In their scheme, what they do are similar calls that we had at Oklahoma,” says Stutsman. “He’s a taller dude at 6-foot-3. His stature’s kind of similar to mine. To watch his technique at that height, I think it helps me prepare better.”

We’ll see where Stutsman ends up landing during the 2025 NFL Draft in April, but there’s certainly no shortage of teams that will be interested in the All-American linebacker.

DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
Sports Reporter

DJ Siddiqi is a sports reporter who focuses on football, basketball and pro wrestling. He has covered some of the biggest sporting events, including the NBA Finals and Wrestlemania and often interviews high-profile athletes on a weekly basis. Siddiqi has interviewed the likes of Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Hawk and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His previous experience includes working as a lead NBA writer at CBS Sports and 247 Sports in addition to working as a beat reporter covering the NFL and the Denver Broncos at Bleacher Report. Follow Siddiqi for exclusive one-on-one interviews and analysis on key topics in sports

Interests:
NFL
NBA
NCAAF
NCAAB
NHL
Travel
Interviews

More RG Exclusive Interviews

03/27/2025
“Saquon Changed the Conversation About Running Backs” – Barry Sanders on Barkley’s Impact, Mount Rushmore of RBs
Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders details how the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley has brought value back to running backs and names his Mount Rushmore for the position
“Saquon Changed the Conversation About Running Backs” – Barry Sanders on Barkley’s Impact, Mount Rushmore of RBs
03/26/2025
“They Both Want to Win”: Patrick Surtain II Praises Bo Nix-Sean Payton Duo Driving Broncos’ Resurgence
Patrick Surtain II highlights how Bo Nix and Sean Payton’s shared mindset sparked a playoff return for the Broncos
“They Both Want to Win”: Patrick Surtain II Praises Bo Nix-Sean Payton Duo Driving Broncos’ Resurgence
03/19/2025
Braden Fiske on Los Angeles Rams' Decision to Move On From Cooper Kupp: "Obviously, It Was Tough”
Braden Fiske opens up on the Los Angeles Rams' decision to move on from Cooper Kupp and his thoughts on the addition of Davante Adams
Braden Fiske on Los Angeles Rams' Decision to Move On From Cooper Kupp:  "Obviously, It Was Tough”
03/17/2025
“We’re Heading in the Right Direction”: Patrick Surtain II Believes the Broncos Are Super Bowl Contenders in 2025
Patrick Surtain II details why the Denver Broncos can develop into a Super Bowl contender and the biggest thing he's learned from head coach Sean Payton
“We’re Heading in the Right Direction”: Patrick Surtain II Believes the Broncos Are Super Bowl Contenders in 2025
03/04/2025
CeeDee Lamb on Cowboys Potentially Adding Receiver Through NFL Draft: “Just Looking For a Great Compliment”
Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb gives his thoughts on the 2025 NFL Draft and the wide receiver prospects who stand out most to him
CeeDee Lamb on Cowboys Potentially Adding Receiver Through NFL Draft: “Just Looking For a Great Compliment”
03/02/2025
“I Knew I Wanted to Be a Quarterback”: Justin Arth’s Unconventional Path
Justin Arth's journey from YouTube-trained QB to pro football is a testament to perseverance in a game where nothing is guaranteed
“I Knew I Wanted to Be a Quarterback”: Justin Arth’s Unconventional Path
02/27/2025
“Go About It and Attack It”: Jim Harbaugh on Chargers' Approach to 2025 NFL Draft, Connections to Michigan
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on his approach to the NFL Combine and NFL Draft, whether or not he leans towards Michigan Wolverines alumni and his thoughts on the College Football Playoff system
“Go About It and Attack It”: Jim Harbaugh on Chargers' Approach to 2025 NFL Draft, Connections to Michigan
02/24/2025
Peyton Manning Says Denver Broncos Will be 'Even Better' Next Year
Peyton Manning makes a bold prediction about the Denver Broncos and gives his thoughts on what they need to get to the next level
Peyton Manning Says Denver Broncos Will be 'Even Better' Next Year
02/18/2025
“We Left That Place Better Than We Found It”: RJ Oben on Notre Dame’s Legacy
RJ Oben’s versatility and relentless work ethic make him a top NFL Draft prospect. Will he be Notre Dame’s next big defensive star in the NFL?
“We Left That Place Better Than We Found It”: RJ Oben on Notre Dame’s Legacy
02/17/2025
“I Bring Leadership”: Taylor Elgersma talks 2025 NFL Draft Preparation, Senior Bowl Experience
Taylor Elgersma made history at the Senior Bowl as the first Canadian quarterback to ever participate in the event, and now he’s looking to make an impression in the 2025 NFL Draft
“I Bring Leadership”: Taylor Elgersma talks 2025 NFL Draft Preparation, Senior Bowl Experience

NFL Writers

Aaron WIlson
Aaron WIlson
NFL Reporter

Aaron Wilson is an award-winning Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and www.click2houston.com. He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. This marks his 10th year covering the Texans after previously covering a Super Bowl winning team in Baltimore. He has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. A Washington, D.C. native, Wilson played college football at East Carolina University where he was a linebacker. Aaron and his wife live in Houston and enjoy traveling and trying new restaurants.

Meet All Our Experts