David Stone withdraws name from transfer portal

OU sophomore defensive tackle David Stone has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal, sources confirmed to SoonerScoop.com.

Stone surprisingly entered the portal late Friday night, shocking the Oklahoma staff and fans. The former five-star defensive lineman was expected to be a key part of the OU defense in 2025. He also has a strong relationship with the Sooners’ coaching staff.

According to sources, Stone was emotional in a Friday meeting with coach Brent Venables and defensive line coach Todd Bates, expressing that he did not want to leave. The original decision to enter the portal was due to a pay cut Stone received in the winter. Stone met with Bates as well as several players on Saturday, who tried to convince him to reconsider.

Those meetings must have worked, as Stone withdrew his name on Sunday evening.

Stone’s decision to stay in Norman is a big one. Oklahoma should have one of the best defensive lines its had in a long time with Stone, Jayden Jackson, Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton.

And it’s Stone who might have the highest ceiling of all of them.

“Choosing a university to attend is one of biggest decisions you’ll ever make,” Bates wrote on X. “Fans love this game… But many never experience the pain or challenges that players go through, especially in this new era of college football. Love for somebody comes out as hate when you are hurt and thinking about what you are losing. We are blessed to have David Stone AKA Agent 0 continuing here, and I know SOONER NATION will embrace him as you did when he chose to be a SOONER out of high school. Boomer!”

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