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Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman sign first NFL contracts
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- Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman sign first NFL contracts
The Oklahoma Sooners had two players chosen in the 2025 NFL Draft. Linebacker Danny Stutsman was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (112th overall). Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round (118th overall). The two longtime teammates and stalwarts of the OU defense will now face off twice a year in the intense NFC South rivalry.
Both players signed their first NFL contracts on Friday. The Saints announced Stutsman's signing alongside five other rookies in their draft class. His contract is a four-year deal.
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"In four seasons with the Sooners, Stutsman played in 47 career games with 37 starts and finished with 376 tackles, including 36 stops for a loss and eight sacks, while adding three interceptions, eight pass breakups, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery," the Saints said. "In 2024, the Windermere, Fla. native was a consensus All-American and Butkus Award finalist, starting all 12 games and recording a team-high 109 tackles, including eight stops for a loss and one sack."
The Falcons announced Bowman's signing along with two other draftees. He has also signed a four-year contract. General manager Terry Fontenot raved about Bowman's ability.
"If you don't enjoy watching him play, then you just don't like football," Fontenot said. "He flies around tough, smart, extremely athletic, really versatile. ... Takes the ball away at a high rate, not just in terms of interceptions and anticipating and taking away, but he's got ball awareness."
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Head coach Raheem Morris also noted Bowman's ability and what he can bring to the table for his new team.
"Just the position flex," Morris said. "The ability to play a little nickel, play a little star position, the ability to pop back and play a little safety, potentially some dime. Really appreciate the toughness, the guy. Really appreciate the energy he plays with. The uncommon running hit to the ball. You love that."
Bowman himself also outlined what he can do for Fontenot and Morris and his versatility.
"I can be another source of creating turnovers," Bowman said. "I feel like I'm very versatile. I feel like I can come down, I can play the run game. I can definitely play the pass game."Stutsman and Bowman both could have left Norman after their true freshman seasons when head coach Lincoln Riley left. Instead, they chose to stay and play for new head coach Brent Venables at a time when not many of their teammates made the same choice. Under Venables, the duo became the backbone of the Sooner defense and even decided to stay for an extra collegiate season to lead Oklahoma into the SEC. Now, they'll try and make their mark in New Orleans and Atlanta, just like they did in Norman.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Stutsman and Bowman sign rookie deals
