5-star DL David Stone: ‘Florida’s been a school I’ve been high on for a long time’

BRADENTON, FL. — There is a lot of sorting out to do for David Stone, as the five-star defensive lineman is considering roughly a handful of schools for June official visits.

Oklahoma is scheduled for June 16-18, but other than that, Stone’s visit schedule is fairly fluid. Michigan State, Oregon, Florida and Miami are among those heavily in the mix and battling for the same weekends.

“Right now, I really don’t have nothing set up,” Stone told Gators Online. “I’ve been getting texts about the NCAA thing, so I have to get everything cleared away, but I have a pretty good idea of where everything is going to line up. I just have to finalize it and get back to you guys on that.

“There are some schools set; there are some schools set. I have a pretty good idea.”

One of those schools that could very well already have an official visit date is the University of Florida.

Earlier this week, sources told GO that Stone is expected to return to Gainesville on June 2-4. That will be a jam-packed weekend in Gainesville featuring over a dozen official visitors. Fellow five-star prospects DJ Lagway and Jeremiah Smith are a few of them.

Also, when asked which schools are pushing the hardest for his services, the IMG Academy standout listed Florida and Miami. Billy Napier, Austin Armstrong and Sean Spencer serve as his go-to contacts at the Swamp, but Spencer checks in with the title of primary recruiter.

“I talk to them dang near every day (laughter),” Stone said of the Gators. “I was just talking to them before the game, so Florida’s been a school I’ve been high on for a long time.

“There’s just something about the Gators; I don’t know what it is. Ever since my first visit, I fell in love with the place. The relationship at the time wasn’t there, but I still enjoyed it. Now that I’ve been around them and built a relationship with the staff, it’s like, man, I’m even more in love with the place.”

David Stone is carefully sorting through his options

“Man, there are so many great schools. I feel like I just want to make the right choice, you know?” Stone said. “Everyone has been rushing their commitment and then flipping somewhere else. I don’t want to be that guy, so I feel like once I find the right place for me, I’m locked in and ready to build a class.

“I don’t want to be one of those guys that commits and then goes back on their word.”

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, the 6-foot-4, 278-pound Stone is the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 10 prospect overall. Oklahoma is trending heavily in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

On3 Scouting Report

Twitched up disruptor along the interior defensive line who has ridiculous short area quickness and burst. David Stone tested extremely well during the summer camp circuit prior to his senior season. Jumped 28 inches in the vertical, ran a 5.00 40-yard dash and ran an impressive 4.41 shuttle. And did all of that at 6-foot-4, nearly 280 pounds with 11-inch hands.

Violent off the snap, can split gaps with ease. Shoots his hands quickly and with precision off the line. Excellent hand usage and very slippery as a pass rusher. Makes it tough for offensive linemen to ever get a hand on him. Stout against the run, excellent ability to disengage from blockers. Not looking to stack and shed, wants to get off of blocks immediately. Can convert speed to power, strong bull rusher as well.

Can play a bit erratic at times and work himself out of plays. Just needs to play with more discipline and see the field better but will come with time.

High-floor prospect who will always be a threat on passing downs. Will become a complete three-down player in no time. Ceiling is through the roof with high first round NFL potential.

Transferred to IMG Academy after his first two seasons at Del City HS in Oklahoma.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

The post 5-star DL David Stone: ‘Florida’s been a school I’ve been high on for a long time’ appeared first on On3.