The Oklahoma Sooners enter the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] in 2024, and OU fans are as excited about the defensive side of the ball as they’ve been in a long time. Under third-year head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], that unit looks capable of playing up to the standard in Norman.

Star power and veteran leadership are certainly part of the reason why. Linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] both could have gone pro this past winter, but opted instead to stay in school and help lead the Sooners into the SEC. The seniors have already received plenty of offseason recognition, but as the season draws closer, they were recognized again on Monday.

Both players were named to the preseason Associated Press All-America team that was released less than a week before Week Zero marks the beginning of the college football season. Both Stutsman and Bowman made the second team-defense on AP’s team.

Stutsman was 15th in the nation in tackles for loss last season, averaging 1.3 per game. He was Oklahoma’s lifeblood, the team’s leader and tallied over 100 tackles for the second straight year. He was joined at the linebacker position on the second team by Oklahoma State’s Nick Martin and Old Dominion’s Jason Henderson.

Bowman was a nightmare in the secondary for opposing offensive coordinators. Three pick-six touchdowns accompanied his six total interceptions last year, making him one of the most dangerous defensive backs in all of college football. He was joined at the safety position on the second team by Dillon Thieneman of Purdue.

The duo was also named finalists for the Nagurski and Bednarik Trophies.

Stutsman and Bowman give Venables and new defensive coordinator [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag] plenty of experience and talent at two important spots on the defense as the Sooners move into the SEC. Their returns meant that Oklahoma didn’t have to reload on the defensive side of the ball and they have a chance to take another step forward in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma duo makes AP preseason All-American team

ULI has announced the appointment of Mick Cornett, the former mayor of Oklahoma City, as the ULI Canizaro/Klingbeil Fellow for Urban Development.

Cornett served as mayor of Oklahoma City from 2005 to 2018, leading a major redevelopment plan for the urban core, securing an NBA franchise for the city, creating an entertainment district that now attracts 2 million visitors a year, and generating 80,000 new jobs. He also served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors and in 2018 was listed among Fortune’s 50 Greatest Leaders in the World. He is also a well-known public speaker and author of The Next American City.

“ULI’s programs and multidisciplinary members are uniquely equipped to help communities tackle challenges like downtown revitalization, economic development, and connectivity,” said Janice Periquet, president of the ULI Foundation. “It’s thanks to the generosity of our members and their commitment to the built environment that opportunities to engage with leaders like Mick are possible. His rich experience will propel critical conversations that strengthen long-term vitality and improve the health of cities and their people.”

The fellowship was created in 2011 through a generous gift from James D. Klingbeil and Joseph C. Canizaro to advise and collaborate with ULI and its members on issues related to urban development and revitalization. It is part of the ULI Curtis Infrastructure Initiative, which identifies and promotes infrastructure solutions by creating new global and strategic partnerships, providing technical assistance, building capacity at the local level, investigating innovative and effective strategies, and acting as a feedback loop for real estate and land use professionals.

“I’m honored to join ULI in this capacity, eager to support cities of all sizes in enhancing walkability, livability, and affordability,” Cornett said. “While I bring insights from our achievements in Oklahoma City to everything I do, I’ve come to understand that every city is unique—my city is not your city. The real key is building partnerships, fostering leadership that unites everyone toward a common goal, and ensuring local communities have a voice.”

The ULI Fellows program was established in 1996 to enhance ULI’s role in raising awareness of its mission to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. ULI Fellows explore, research, document, and educate ULI members and stakeholders across a global network on topics ranging from real estate finance to urban development policy, retail and entertainment markets to transportation, and attainable housing to decarbonization and resilience.

Klingbeil is the founder and CEO emeritus of Klingbeil Capital Management, a multi-faceted national real estate company based in San Francisco. He is one of the original 17 donors, known as Governors, to establish the ULI Foundation in 1970 and has given over $11 million to the ULIF over his lifetime. He previously served as Chair of ULI and ULI Foundation Chair and is now ULI Foundation Chair Emeritus.

Earlier this year, Klingbeil gave $1 million to support ULI’s Advisory Services program. The gift was first announced at a ULI event in Oklahoma City ahead of next year’s 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. Klingbeil was the chair of an Advisory Services panel in December of 1995 tasked with offering Oklahoma City hope, and a roadmap to downtown revitalization after the devastating bombing.

Joseph Canizaro is CEO of Corporate Capital, LLC, a ULI Trustee and past Global Chair, and was chairman of the Urban Planning Committee of the 17-member Bring New Orleans Back Commission, created by then-New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. Throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, Canizaro developed a large portion of the Class A buildings that make up the New Orleans skyline and is largely credited with having a major role in the city’s post-Katrina recovery.

Join News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins, News On 6 Sports Director John Holcomb, and Toby Rowland for this week’s edition of the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz.

Sunday, August 18th 2024, 11:09 pm

By:

News 9,

News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY –

This week on the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz, Dean Blevins, John Holcomb, and Toby Rowland begin the show with their opening takes.

Preseason Rankings

OU, OSU, TU Quarterbacks

Viewer Question

OU, OSU, TU Defensive Backs

OU Recruits

Thunder Schedule Release

FedEx Cup Playoffs

Play The Percentages