Cornerback Woodi Washington returning to OU for 2024 season
One more ‘run it back’ for OU and the Sooners defense. The last month has been full of good news for Oklahoma, guys staying left and right.
Cornerback Woodi Washington becomes the latest for Brent Venables, with Washington announcing Tuesday evening on social media he will be in Norman for his sixth and final season.
“I’m a vocal leader and leader by example,” said Washington earlier this season. “I have a young group of corners, so it’s about keeping them locked in. Telling them not to focus on the losses but just learn from them.”
Washington’s not wrong. As much of an on-field leader that he was, just as big of a role to Team 129 was bringing up the young guys.
Washington was the lone experienced cornerback starter. And as the other spot saw injury after injury, Washington was solid all season.
“He’s been great,” said Gentry Williams earlier this season. “Woodi, he’s been like the godfather. That’s what we say in the room. He’s helped me tremendously. I wouldn’t be the player I am here today without him, on and off the field.”
Washington had 48 tackles, two tackles for loss and a team-leading seven pass breakups this season.
Staying for 2024
S Billy Bowman
The story: Whew, that was a sigh of relief for OU fans. Bowman was so good, especially late in the season, that you could have seen him leaving for the NFL Draft. Instead, Bowman said he is ready for one more season, and OU’s first season in the SEC. A breakout playmaker, Bowman had six interceptions and four pass breakups. And, of course, returned three of those picks for touchdowns, including one in each of the final two OU victories.
LB Danny Stutsman
The story: Will he? Or will he not? It has been a roller coaster with Stutsman, trying to figure out what he wants to do. His heart, though? It’s still in Norman, still with the Sooners. OU was even recruiting linebackers in the transfer portal last weekend. That’s how quickly things can change. Stutsman back in the fold is arguably better than any incoming transfer. He was one of the best linebackers in the country in 2023. He will be again, no question, in 2024.
DT Da’Jon Terry
The story: Oh, another OU victory that maybe the Sooners would not have gotten in the past. Terry really started to emerge during the second half of the season. He went from a key rotational guy to an unquestioned starter. Another year under Todd Bates and headed back to the SEC (transferred from Tennessee), and you wonder just how good Terry might become in 2024.
DT Jacob Lacey
The story: Another win for Bates and company. Lacey is a bit of a different story after dealing with blood clots for most of spring and summer. He didn’t get healthy until midway through this season. Lacey still played the most snaps of any interior lineman, though. Don’t let the 16 tackles fool you because Lacey absolutely mattered to this defense. And he will matter in a huge way for what the Sooners are hoping to do in the SEC in 2024.
DE Ethan Downs
The story: Maybe it didn’t really need to be said, but you can appreciate someone like Downs shutting down all speculation before it can even start. Downs said flat-out he’s not where he needs to be, not good enough. He’s excited to return for his senior season, and OU is excited to have one of its best
