The 2024 NFL Draft marked the end of an era for Oklahoma’s remarkable streak. For 16 straight years, the Sooners had at least four players drafted. However, this year, only three players were selected over the three-day, seven-round draft in Detroit. Offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and Walter Rouse, along with defensive lineman Jonah Laulu, were chosen, falling just short of extending the streak to 17 years, which was the longest active streak in the country. Some draft-eligible Sooners chose to return to Oklahoma for another season, including potential draftees like All-America linebacker Danny Stutsman, All-Big 12 safety Billy Bowman Jr., and cornerback Woodi Washington, contributing to the end of the streak.
Despite this, Oklahoma’s three draftees tied for the second most among Big 12 programs, with TCU and Kansas State also having three players selected. Texas led the conference with 11 draft picks, second only to Michigan among all college teams this year. The Big 12 had a total of 31 players drafted, ranking fifth among FBS conferences, behind the SEC (59), Pac-12 (43), Big Ten (42), and ACC (41).
While only three Sooners were drafted, many others found opportunities as priority undrafted free agents, with nine Oklahoma players set to start their NFL careers. Below is a summary of where each former Oklahoma player will begin their NFL journey…
OT Tyler Guyton, Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Guyton was the first Oklahoma player chosen in the draft, receiving the call late on Day 1. He was selected 29th overall in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys, which keeps him close to his hometown of Manor, Texas, and just a short drive from Norman, where he played college football.
Guyton’s selection continues Oklahoma’s streak of having offensive tackles chosen in the first round, following Anton Harrison’s selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars the previous year. Guyton, who started his college career at TCU before transferring to Oklahoma for the last two seasons, becomes the 49th first-round pick in Oklahoma’s history and the 20th since the 2000 NFL Draft. His rookie contract, according to Spotrac, is valued at $12.8 million over four years, including a signing bonus of $6.1 million.
OT Walter Rouse, Minnesota Vikings
Following Guyton’s selection towards the end of Day 1, the Sooners had to wait until midway through Day 3 to see another player drafted. When the sixth round arrived on Saturday afternoon, Walter Rouse was the first off the board. The Minnesota Vikings chose Rouse with the first pick in the sixth round, making him the 177th overall selection.
Rouse became the 13th Oklahoma offensive lineman drafted since Bill Bedenbaugh took over the position in 2013. The former Stanford transfer achieved his goal when he joined Oklahoma before his final college season. Rouse started every game at left tackle for the Sooners last season and was the team’s top all-around offensive lineman throughout the year. According to Spotrac, Rouse’s rookie contract with the Vikings is expected to be valued at $4.2 million over four years, with a signing bonus of $254,285.
DL Jonah Laulu, Indianapolis Colts
Jonah Laulu couldn’t believe his luck when his phone rang on Saturday evening. The former Oklahoma defensive lineman, who played both defensive end and defensive tackle during his time in Norman, thought he might be the victim of a prank call. Uncertain if he would even be selected on Day 3, Laulu was wary when Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard called him in the seventh round. But this was no joke: The Colts chose Laulu with the 14th pick in the final round, making him the 234th overall selection and completing the Sooners’ draft class for 2024.
While Laulu’s on-field production at Oklahoma was modest, it didn’t fully showcase his skills and athleticism. However, he made a strong impression with an impressive Pro Day last month, putting himself on the radar for NFL teams as a potential late-round pick. Indianapolis recognized his potential and decided to invest in Laulu, who began his college career at Hawaii before transferring to Oklahoma for two seasons. According to Spotrac, Laulu’s rookie contract is expected to be valued at $4.1 million over four years, including a signing bonus of $101,756.
OL Andrew Raym, Carolina Panthers
After starting for nearly three seasons at Oklahoma, Andrew Raym chose to forego his final year of eligibility and declare early for the NFL Draft. Raym received invitations to both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, but he ended up going undrafted by the end of Day 3. However, he wasted no time in agreeing to a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers, giving him the opportunity to compete for a roster spot this offseason.
OL McKade Mettauer, Kansas City Chiefs
McKade Mettauer spent two seasons at Oklahoma after beginning his career at Cal. While he didn’t hear his name called on Day 3 of the draft, he quickly found an opportunity with none other than the defending Super Bowl champions. The Kansas City Chiefs signed Mettauer as an undrafted free agent.
Mettauer, standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 316 pounds, only allowed one sack over his final four college seasons, covering 1,458 pass-blocking snaps and starting in 42 games. Now, he’ll have the chance to join a Chiefs team that already boasts four former Sooners: offensive linemen Creed Humphrey and Wanya Morris, wide receiver Hollywood Brown, and long snapper James Winchester.
DT Isaiah Coe, Indianapolis Colts
Isaiah Coe wasn’t expected to be selected during the three-day NFL Draft, but the former Oklahoma defensive tackle secured an opportunity as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night after the completion of the seventh round. Coe signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he’ll join fellow former Sooners defensive lineman Jonah Laulu in rookie camp this offseason.
During his three seasons at Oklahoma, Coe appeared in 37 games and made 13 starts at defensive tackle. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 311 pounds, Coe, who began his career at the JUCO level, will now aim to make his mark in Indianapolis.
DE Rondell Bothroyd, Buffalo Bills
Rondell Bothroyd wasn’t selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the 6-foot-3, 273-pounder from Manchester, Connecticut, will have a chance to start his NFL journey not far from his hometown. Bothroyd agreed to sign with the Buffalo Bills late Saturday night after the conclusion of the seventh round.
Bothroyd spent just one season at Oklahoma after playing his first five years at Wake Forest. He started all 13 games at defensive end for the Sooners and received All-Big 12 honorable mention after recording 25 tackles, with 3.5 for a loss, and 23 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. These stats ranked second on the team, just behind Ethan Downs’ 31 pressures.
TE Austin Stogner, Atlanta Falcons
Austin Stogner didn’t hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft, but he secured an opportunity as an undrafted free agent by Sunday morning. The Atlanta Falcons signed the former Sooners tight end, offering the 6-foot-6, 258-pounder a chance to compete for a roster spot this offseason.
Stogner’s college journey included two stints at Oklahoma, with one season at South Carolina in between. After spending his first three seasons with the Sooners, he transferred to South Carolina for the 2022 campaign before returning to Norman for a second stint. Throughout his college career, Stogner amassed 84 receptions for 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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