Oklahoma remains as ‘the team to beat’ for Five-Star Plus+ DL David Stone

Brent Venables and Oklahoma have already built a strong 2024 recruiting class, but the Sooners are looking to add to a group that ranks No. 17 right now in the On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

And they have three major targets set to announce their commitments over the course of the next few weeks. On Monday, Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri is set to announce between OU, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee and Oregon, with the Sooners, Tigers and Bulldogs considered to be his top three schools right now.

Oklahoma has been among the top schools for Nwaneri for quite some time, and the Sooners are currently trending slightly to land him in the On3 Football Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). And on Sept. 1, five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley will also announce his commitment, with Oklahoma and Texas looking to be the top two schools there.

But an even more important piece is set to come off the board in just over two weeks, as fellow Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Stone will also make his commitment on August 26. Miami, Florida, Michigan State, and others are in the mix for Stone, but the Oklahoma City native has been forecasted for more than a year to end up in Norman.

Sooners coaching staff has made him a priority

And On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman, who placed an expert prediction in OU’s favor back in May, sees no reason to change it.

“I do think Oklahoma is the team to beat,” Spiegelman said Thursday during On3’s Inside Scoop recruiting show. “His recruitment has really come full circle. Oklahoma was always a major contender, we know that he’s from Oklahoma City before he moved over to IMG Academy and took on an absolutely national recruitment.

… David Stone has visited so many schools, and many caught his eye. But Oklahoma and Michigan State have always been toward the forefront. … But Marco Coleman going back to his alma mater at Georgia Tech and Brandon Jordan going to the NFL with the Seahawks has really left Mel Tucker in a bind. I think he has a spot in David Stone’s heart, but he’s been recruited by the dynamic trio in Norman of Brent Venables, Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates. And I think with an Oklahoma native and that D-line group, I think it’ll be tough for any team to knock off Oklahoma when August 26 rolls around.”

David Stone Recruiting Profile

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Stone is the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 2 recruit in Florida.

On3’s Scouting and Rankings team compares him to former Auburn star and NFL first-round pick Nick Fairley and writes this about him as a prospect:

“He is a twitched-up disruptor along the interior defensive line with outstanding short area quickness and burst. Measures at around 6-foot-4, 280 pounds with elite length for the position with arms that register around 35 inches. Tested extremely well during the summer camp circuit at the UC Report’s IMG Pro Day 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. Violent off the snap, can split gaps with ease.

… He shoots his hands quickly and with precision off the line. Excellent hand usage and very slippery as a pass rusher. Uses his elite length and quick hands at the point of attack. Makes it tough for offensive linemen to ever get a hand on him.”

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