Oklahoma Signs Consensus Five-Star DL David Stone
Despite its best efforts over the past several cycles, Oklahoma has failed to land truly elite interior defensive linemen. Last year, five-star defensive tackle David Hicks was all but in the boat for the Sooners, but a last-second flip to Texas A&M sent the OU fan base into a spiral — one that they’re still dealing with when it comes to recruiting battles.
However, the 2024 cycle brought a new opportunity, and this time around the Oklahoma staff landed their big fish. David Stone, a five-star defensive lineman out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, has officially signed with the Sooners. A consensus five-star recruit across all industry recruiting sources, Stone ranks as the No. 4 overall player (ESPN) and ranks no lower than the No. 19 overall player (On3, 247Sports) in the class of 2024, giving OU one of the best players in the country.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Stone has some weight to put on before he’s ready to dominate on the interior for the Sooners in the SEC, but there’s no doubt he’s built to be a force in the Oklahoma front for years to come.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is extremely excited about what Stone brings to Norman.
“David is tremendously talented, but he’s got a lot of the right stuff that you want,” Venables said on Wednesday.
“He’s got really endearing leadership qualities to him. Humble, hard-working, tough, really smart, articulate, he’s a leader of young men. Players follow him.”
247Sports’ Andrew Ivins projects Stone as a player with Day 1 upside and a player that should be an immediate contributor for Oklahoma as a true freshman.
“A disruptive force in the middle that can collapse pockets and make life very difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Made play after play as both a junior and senior at the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy and oftentimes took over games when they mattered the most, like in an ESPN televised contest against St. Joseph’s Prep where he tallied a strip-sack, a half-dozen pressures, and multiple tackles for loss. Carries 280 pounds like it’s 225 pounds on a 6-foot-4 frame. Wins with his first step, but the X-factor appears to be his heavy, active hands as he will use a variety of different pass-rushing moves to maneuver his way into the backfield. Ability to cross opposing linemen certainly separates him from a lot of his peers, but has shown that he can also shed blocks and plugs. Should only get better against the run with improved technique and continued development. Projects as a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that can fit into a variety of different roles depending on how the body fills out. Could thrive in a defensive scheme that wants to twist its interior force given how he builds momentum as he launches forward. Day 1 of the NFL Draft upside.”
