The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons turned to Norman on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting two of Oklahoma’s defensive anchors in the fourth round. Linebacker Danny Stutsman came off the board first, going No. 112 overall to the Saints, while hard-hitting safety Billy Bowman Jr. didn’t have to wait much longer, hearing his name called at No. 118 by the Falcons.
The selections mark a triumphant moment for Brent Venables’ program and a testament to Oklahoma’s resurgence on the defensive side of the ball—a calling card the head coach has been diligently rebuilding since his arrival in 2022. Both Stutsman and Bowman were cornerstone pieces of that transformation, and now they’re bringing that same high-motor mentality to the NFL.
If there was ever a player who epitomized Oklahoma’s swagger, toughness, and vocal leadership on defense, it was Danny Stutsman.
A 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker with the instincts of a veteran and the intensity of a throwback enforcer, Stutsman built a legacy in Norman as the emotional and physical leader of the Sooners’ front seven. Across three seasons, he accumulated 293 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. In 2023, he was named First-Team All-Big 12, and he followed that up with another All-Big 12 nod and a Butkus Award semifinalist mention in 2024.
Now, he heads to a Saints defense that has long prided itself on physicality and attitude—something Stutsman delivers in spades.
New Orleans defensive coordinator Joe Woods praised Stutsman’s motor and football IQ, noting in his post-draft comments that the Saints view the Oklahoma standout as “a versatile, sideline-to-sideline presence with three-down potential.” Given the Saints’ aging linebacker corps and a clear desire to inject youth and energy into the position, Stutsman could see the field earlier than expected.
“I’m fired up to get to New Orleans,” Stutsman said in a post-selection interview. “That city, that fanbase, the passion they bring—it fits my energy. I’m gonna give everything I have to this team.”
Stutsman’s time at Oklahoma was more than just tackles and highlight-reel plays—it was about setting a standard. He was often described by coaches and teammates as the glue of the defense, a player who held everyone accountable and brought relentless energy to every practice and game. His journey from three-star recruit to fourth-round pick is the latest chapter in a story defined by heart and hustle.
“Danny’s a warrior,” Venables said after the pick. “He played through injuries, played with passion, and led with love for his teammates. The Saints are getting a guy who will be a culture-setter in that locker room.”
While Stutsman patrolled the middle of the field, Billy Bowman Jr. made his name in the back end—delivering big hits, creating turnovers, and becoming a game-changer in the secondary.
Bowman was selected No. 118 overall by the Atlanta Falcons, who are building a new-look secondary under head coach Raheem Morris. With a pressing need at safety and an emphasis on defensive versatility, Bowman fits like a glove.
In 2024, Bowman delivered the most complete season of his career, finishing with 63 tackles, six interceptions (including a pick-six), and nine passes defended. His ball skills and closing speed made him one of the most dangerous safeties in the country. Scouts raved about his instincts, his ability to diagnose plays pre-snap, and his fearlessness in run support.
“I bring juice,” Bowman said. “I’m ready to come in, work, and make an impact in Atlanta. I love what Coach Morris is building. It’s aggressive, it’s fast, and it’s fun.”
A former four-star recruit out of Denton Ryan High School in Texas, Bowman entered Oklahoma as a two-way athlete but quickly found his identity on defense. After rotating early in his career, he exploded onto the national scene in 2023 and became one of the Sooners’ most consistent playmakers.
“He’s a ballhawk with a linebacker’s mindset,” one NFC scout said pre-draft. “He plays the game like it’s personal, and those guys stick around in this league.”
The Falcons see Bowman as a player who can contribute right away on special teams and potentially work his way into a rotational or starting role depending on training camp performance. His positional versatility—able to line up at free safety, strong safety, and even nickel corner—only adds to his value.
Both picks are a huge validation of Brent Venables’ mission to rebuild the Sooners’ defense into a nationally respected unit. Since taking over in 2022, Venables has emphasized development, toughness, and accountability—cornerstones of the Clemson defenses he once coordinated to championship heights.
Now, with two defensive leaders heading to the NFL in the same round, Oklahoma is reaping the rewards.
“These guys aren’t just great players—they’re great examples,” Venables said. “They bought in, they elevated those around them, and they left the jersey in a better place than they found it.”
For years, Oklahoma’s high-octane offense overshadowed its defensive inconsistencies. But the tide has turned. The 2024 defense ranked in the top 25 nationally in takeaways, red-zone defense, and third-down stops, thanks in no small part to the leadership of Stutsman and Bowman. Their presence on the field helped Oklahoma return to a national contender status and made the team’s transition to the SEC feel less daunting.
Now, with SEC competition on the horizon, their departure will leave a noticeable void—but also a blueprint for the next wave of Sooner defenders to follow.
While both players took different paths to Norman—Stutsman as an under-the-radar recruit out of Florida, Bowman as a high-profile Texas product—they leave together as fourth-round draft picks, NFL teammates in spirit if not in jersey.
Draft day always represents dreams realized, but for Stutsman and Bowman, it’s also the culmination of years of dedication, leadership, and sacrifice. They were the heartbeat of a defense that earned respect, silenced critics, and paved a new standard.
Now, they head to two cities with proud football traditions and the opportunity to make immediate impacts. For the Saints, Stutsman brings juice to the linebacking corps. For the Falcons, Bowman adds fire and flexibility to a growing secondary.
It’s not the first round. It’s not the flashiest selection. But it’s the kind of pick that pays dividends.
And for Oklahoma fans watching from afar, it’s a proud moment to see two warriors take the next step—together.
With Stutsman and Bowman off to the NFL, the Sooners will look to new leaders on defense. Young talents like Kip Lewis, Robert Spears-Jennings, and PJ Adebawore are expected to take on bigger roles in 2025.
But the legacy of Stutsman and Bowman will linger—not just in highlight reels or statistics, but in the culture they helped establish. Oklahoma’s defense doesn’t back down. It hits. It hustles. It holds the line.
And two of its fiercest soldiers are now on NFL rosters.
From Norman to New Orleans. From the Palace to the Peach State. The next chapter begins.