Champion Standard Podcast | Done Deal!
Posted on: April 21, 2025
Continuing with our plan this offseason to share some content that a couple members of our community have been creating for close to a year now!
I am happy to be able to announce that TFB supports The Champion Standard Podcast!
Our guys @soonerbrad and @Birddawg have been pumping out some high-quality podcasts that talk about Xs and Os, hot topics, and OU football talk in general. This podcast represents the views and opinions of Rob and Brad and TFB is not part of their operation, but we do endorse it wholeheartedly!
Each time a new podcast drops I will post it here for the community. Give the guys a listen, sub to their YouTube channel, and include their pods on your mobile devices!
Done Deal: David Stone Locked In, Thunder’s Playoff Surge, and the Draft Stock of Sooner Stars
The Monday after Easter didn’t feel like a holiday hangover. For Sooner fans, it felt like a shot of adrenaline. Portal chaos, championship banners, NBA domination, and NFL Draft buzz collided into one electric weekend, and on Monday night, Champion Standard went live to break it all down.
“This is why we don’t do live shows often,” co-host Brad laughed at the top of the show. “Too much to talk about. Loaded show today.”
Loaded might be an understatement. At the heart of the episode—and Sooner Nation’s psyche—was the wild saga of five-star defensive lineman David Stone, whose weekend flirtation with the transfer portal nearly turned the OU offseason upside down.
A Portal Panic, Then Relief
“It was like a roller coaster,” Rob said. “My phone was blowing up Friday. We thought we lost him.”
Stone, who entered the portal to the shock of fans and analysts alike, quickly became the subject of internet hysteria and message board meltdowns. But after a weekend of behind-the-scenes conversations and what the hosts describe as “a little TLC,” the highly touted defensive lineman recommitted to Oklahoma.
“It’s a done deal,” Brad said confidently. “That’s why we named the episode that. He’s locked in.”
The significance of retaining Stone can’t be overstated. With Dominic Williams and Jayden Jackson already in place—both potential NFL draft picks—the Sooners now boast arguably the deepest interior defensive line rotation in college football.
“You don’t just have three guys that can play on Sunday,” Rob said. “You have three that may all get drafted. And that’s something OU hasn’t had at IDL in a long, long time.”
Brad agreed, noting Jackson’s meteoric rise as a freshman.
“He was taking 6’5”, 300-pound SEC juniors and literally throwing them,” Brad said, “That kid was a freshman. He was out there tossing grown men.”
What could have been a devastating loss for Brent Venables’ defense turned into a massive win—and a signal that Todd Bates’ development pipeline is real.
“I slept better Sunday night,” Brad joked. “You just don’t get Sunday guys at IDL like this. Now we’ve got three.”
Thunder Roll by 50: “Playoff Game. Not a Regular Game.”
Before diving deeper into the draft, the pod took a victory lap on behalf of Oklahoma City’s NBA team, who annihilated their first-round opponent with a historic 50-point playoff win.
“Shea [Gilgeous-Alexander] didn’t even go off,” Brad noted. “This team’s so balanced, they don’t need their MVP to carry the load every night.”
Rob added, “They’ve got 3 point snipers everywhere. And if you can hit open threes in the playoffs, you can win a title.”
The Thunder’s rapid rise has fans wondering just how far this young squad can go.
“They’ve been deprived of a conference title for 15 years,” Brad said. “Since Seattle, since New Orleans—whatever you want to call it. It’s been a minute. But this could be the year.”
Jaden Ott, New Faces in the Portal
The Stone news wasn’t the only reason for portal celebration. OU also landed Jayden Ott, the former Cal running back and a bona fide home-run threat in the backfield.
“Home-run threat. Makes guys miss. Dynamic,” Brad said, having broken down five of Ott’s games on film.
There was clear excitement over the addition, though Brad urged caution when making comparisons.
“He’s got this high leg kick in the open field. I almost said he looks like Barry Sanders,” he laughed, quickly correcting himself. “Don’t go there, Brad.” – Rob
Still, the Ott pickup adds juice to an already crowded running back room, which now includes Gavin Sawchuk, Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson, and Taylor Tatum.
“That’s five, maybe six guys,” Brad said. “I’ll be surprised if they all stay.”
The transfer window still had four days remaining at the time of the episode, with the Sooners eyeing additions at cornerback, wide receiver, kicker, and potentially linebacker.
“I’m shocked we don’t have a wide receiver yet,” Rpb admitted. “We need production. Period.”
Tight End Talk: Can Kanak the H-Back
One of the most intriguing offseason experiments is Jaren Kanak’s shift from linebacker to H-back, a move that initially raised eyebrows but now appears set in stone.
“If he’s sticking it out, I think he’s your H-back,” Brad said. “He’s a physical guy. He’ll hit people. Maybe the first offensive player in a while to get called for targeting.”
The hosts expect Will Huggins to fill the traditional tight end role, though with Ben Arbuckle calling plays, the position won’t be a volume target.
“Thirteen catches, seven touchdowns,” Rob said of Arbuckle’s TE1 from Wazzu. “That’s probably what we’re looking at—low volume receptions, high impact plays.”
Stutsman and Bowman: Draft Day Outlook
The NFL Draft starts Thursday, and OU could have up to four players selected: Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman, Ethan Downs, and punter Luke Elzinga.
“Stutsman’s a lock,” Brad said. “Probably late second round. And the Raiders love him.”
Rob added that Stutsman’s high football IQ gives him an edge: “He’s a junkie. Watches a ton of film.” “His play recognition would be a massive skill for any NFL team.” Said Rob
Still, concerns remain about his sideline-to-sideline speed.
“He’s not that modern hybrid backer,” Brad said. “He doesn’t have the Jalen Carlon burst. But what he does have is elite recognition and anticipation.”
As for Billy Bowman, the expectation is that he’s a fourth-rounder, potentially headed to the Lions.
“Billy’s interesting,” Rob said. “He’s worked out at slot corner. Eleven career picks. He’s a ballhawk. Former high school wide receiver. Just natural with the ball in his hands.”
Rob added, “He could be utilitzed like a Dax Hill with the Bengals. Move him around. Let him feast.”
Draft Crushes:
The hosts also shared their draft crushes—players they’re irrationally high on heading into Thursday night.
For Rob: Will Johnson, the Michigan corner who locked down Purdue’s Deion Burks in one of the most dominant DB performances he’d seen.
“Every play. Perfect punch timing. Just bullied him.” Rob Said.
For Brad: Tyler Warren, the tight end from Penn State. “He’s like Kittle and LaPorta had a baby,” he joked. “Just plug-and-play. No drama.”
What’s Next for Champion Standard: Tailgates and the Offseason Grind
The show ended with an optimistic look ahead. OU’s draft class may be small this year—four players—but next year’s crop could be massive.
“the 2026 class is going to be stacked,” Rob said.
And with summer creeping in, the guys reminded fans they’re not going anywhere.
“We’ve got pods coming with some fantastic guests, film breakdowns, position grades,” Brad said. “And oh yeah—TFB is helping us build the ultimate tailgate. It’s going to be a party.”
Rob smiled. “We’ve got a lot cooking.”
Done deal, indeed.
