Oklahoma DT and former 5-Star David Stone is entering the transfer portal after just one season in Norman
In a surprising and pivotal move, Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone has entered the transfer portal after just one season with the program. Stone, a former five-star recruit, was highly touted as one of the top prospects in the nation when he committed to the Sooners. His decision to leave the program raises several questions about both his individual development and the broader landscape of college football recruitment. With just one season under his belt in Norman, Stone’s departure may have significant ramifications for the Sooners’ defense and for his own college football future.
The Rise of David Stone: A High School Phenom
Before entering the spotlight at Oklahoma, David Stone was a well-established name in high school football. A native of Oklahoma City, Stone attended the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he continued to rise as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the country. His immense physical tools, combined with a relentless work ethic, made him a near-consensus five-star recruit by various recruiting services.
Stone was regarded as one of the best defensive tackle prospects in the 2023 class, praised for his combination of size, athleticism, and versatility. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing over 300 pounds, he showcased the ability to disrupt the pocket, clog running lanes, and generate pressure on the quarterback. His highlight reel from his high school career was filled with explosive plays that demonstrated both his raw power and impressive burst off the line of scrimmage.
Recruitment for Stone was a heated battle. Although he hails from the state of Oklahoma, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that he would play for the Sooners. In fact, top programs such as Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan were in the hunt for his services. Ultimately, Stone chose to remain in his home state and committed to Oklahoma in the summer of 2022. His decision was met with excitement by Sooners fans, as it represented a significant win for head coach Brent Venables, who was in the process of rebuilding the Oklahoma defense.
The Transfer Portal and Its Growing Influence
The transfer portal has fundamentally altered the landscape of college football, allowing players to explore new opportunities without penalty and with greater flexibility. While the concept of the portal is not new, its prominence has grown substantially in recent years. The ability for players to transfer without sitting out a season has changed recruiting dynamics, team building, and the overall balance of power in college football.
For Stone, the transfer portal presents an opportunity to find a fresh start after his lone season in Norman. The 2023 season didn’t quite go as expected for Stone, who entered Oklahoma with high expectations but struggled to make a consistent impact. His decision to enter the portal could stem from a variety of factors, including both on-field performance and off-field considerations.
David Stone’s Freshman Season at Oklahoma
David Stone arrived at Oklahoma with much fanfare, with hopes that he would become an immediate difference-maker on the Sooners’ defensive line. However, while Stone flashed potential throughout the season, his performance was not as dominant as some had predicted. Part of this can be attributed to the learning curve that all freshmen face when adjusting to the speed and physicality of college football, particularly at the highest level of competition.
During his first season, Stone played in 11 games but found himself in a rotation, sharing snaps with other talented defensive linemen. Despite being one of the most hyped recruits in the class, he finished the season with modest statistics. He recorded just a few tackles for loss and sacks, and while he showed flashes of his immense talent, he was unable to consistently make the impact that many had hoped for when he first arrived at Oklahoma.
Some analysts pointed to Stone’s development within Brent Venables’ defensive scheme as a potential area of concern. Venables is known for his complex defensive schemes, which can be challenging for young players to grasp, especially those in the trenches. Defensive linemen must quickly adapt to reading offensive schemes, adjusting their technique, and understanding the intricate nuances of gap control and pass-rush techniques. It is possible that Stone, despite his talent, struggled with the intricacies of Venables’ system and needed more time to acclimate.
In addition to his adaptation to the defensive scheme, there were questions about his conditioning. Some reports indicated that Stone’s physical conditioning wasn’t up to par early in the season, which may have limited his ability to play a larger role. As a freshman, there were whispers that Stone’s desire to refine his craft and push through the growing pains of college football wasn’t quite where it needed to be for him to take over the starting role on a consistent basis.
While it’s clear that Stone has the physical tools to dominate at the college level, his freshman year showed that it takes more than just raw talent to succeed. Some players need more time to adapt and develop, and in Stone’s case, the transition from high school star to college player appeared to be a bit more difficult than anticipated.
The Possible Reasons Behind the Transfer Decision
Stone’s decision to enter the transfer portal is not entirely surprising, considering the current climate of college football and the situation he faced at Oklahoma. There are several possible reasons why a player of his caliber would leave after just one season.
1. Playing Time and Development
One of the most immediate reasons for Stone’s transfer could be the desire for more playing time and a better opportunity to showcase his talents. With Oklahoma’s defensive line being stacked with experienced players, Stone might have found it difficult to earn a starting role. The Sooners also brought in several other top defensive recruits in recent years, making the competition for snaps fierce. Stone may have felt that his path to becoming a consistent starter at Oklahoma was not as clear as he had hoped, leading him to seek a new opportunity where he could potentially play a more prominent role.
2. Coaching and System Fit
Another factor that could have influenced Stone’s decision is the fit between his playing style and Oklahoma’s defensive system. As mentioned earlier, Brent Venables’ defense is complex and can take time for players, especially freshmen, to fully grasp. If Stone felt that the system wasn’t playing to his strengths or if he was struggling to adjust to Venables’ schemes, it could have led to frustration. In the modern college football environment, where players have the freedom to transfer and pursue better opportunities, the desire to find a system that better suits one’s skill set is a legitimate consideration.
3. Personal and External Factors
While the primary focus in cases like Stone’s often revolves around playing time and fit on the field, personal factors also play a crucial role in the decision to transfer. Stone, like many college athletes, could be influenced by factors such as homesickness, a desire to be closer to family, or even off-field issues that aren’t immediately apparent to the public. The demands of college football can take a toll on players, and sometimes, a fresh start at a new program is what’s needed for personal growth.
4. Changing College Football Landscape
The overall structure of college football is rapidly changing, especially with the expansion of the transfer portal and the new era of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. Players now have the freedom to explore better opportunities both athletically and financially. With the allure of NIL deals growing across the country, Stone might have seen better opportunities at other programs that not only offer more playing time but also the potential for greater personal and financial benefits. The college football recruiting landscape is becoming more fluid, and Stone’s decision to transfer could be part of a broader trend of players seeking the best possible situation for their futures.
What’s Next for David Stone?
Now that Stone has entered the transfer portal, his future is uncertain but filled with potential. Despite a somewhat underwhelming freshman year at Oklahoma, Stone remains an incredibly talented player. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism should make him a coveted recruit for many top programs across the country.
Programs that could potentially pursue Stone will likely be those with a need for a high-caliber defensive tackle and a system that can help him develop his skills. Given his background and potential, schools from across the Power Five conferences will likely express interest, and Stone may end up playing for a program with a defensive system that better suits his style of play.
In the end, David Stone’s transfer portal entry signals the changing dynamics of college football. His departure from Oklahoma after just one season underscores the importance of fit between players and coaching staffs, the impact of competition for playing time, and the evolving nature of recruiting and development. Whether Stone chooses to stay closer to home or explore new opportunities elsewhere, one thing is clear: his journey is far from over, and his potential as a game-changing defensive tackle remains undeniable.
David Stone’s decision to enter the transfer portal is a reflection of the evolving nature of college football, where players are given more freedom to explore new opportunities that better suit their goals and aspirations. After a somewhat quiet freshman season at Oklahoma, Stone is now at a crossroads, with his immense talent still very much intact. As he embarks on this next phase of his career, fans, coaches, and analysts will closely follow his journey, hoping that the young defensive tackle finds the right environment to showcase his potential and fulfill the promise he showed as one of the top recruits in the country.
