5-star DL David Stone set to visit Florida

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star defensive lineman David Stone will take an unofficial visit to Florida this weekend, he announced on Wednesday.

The trip is his second known visit to Gainesville this spring after coming to town in March to check out the Gators.

“They’ve been recruiting me hard. I feel like it’s necessary for me to go check it out again,” Stone said prior to that visit. “Last time I was there, it was a busy day, so I didn’t really get a feel for the environment there. But I did enjoy it regardless. So this time, it’s just me getting another look at everything, getting to hang out with the players and talk to coach.”

Originally from Oklahoma City, Stone is the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the country’s No. 2 defensive lineman, a major position of need for Billy Napier and Co.

Gainesville this weekend!🐊 https://t.co/IDT7BsgtKu

— David “Stoney” Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) May 3, 2023

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Stone has offers from across the country, including Oklahoma, Michigan State, USC, Miami, Florida, Oregon and more.

But OU is trending heavily in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) after a handful of recent expert picks.

Following predictions from On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman and SoonerScoop.com’s Josh McCuiston, Oklahoma holds an 80.8 percent chance of landing Stone’s commitment.

“Michigan State made a significant push early in 2023, and the Spartans are still a contender, but the momentum has swing back toward the Sooners,” On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons said earlier this week. “David Stone is going to take his visits, he is going to entertain each offer, and he is going to keep as many guessing as possible, but I like where the Sooners sit at this time. Todd Bates and Brent Venables, among others, have done an outstanding job with him and those close to him.”

He was recently in Norman for the Sooners’ spring game, and has also taken visits to Michigan State, Texas A&M, Miami, Oregon, USC and LSU this spring.

David Stone knows of two official visits

He doesn’t have dates yet for his official visit back to Norman, but he says both the Sooners and Ohio State will get officials from him. Michigan State is also likely to get one — the rest are still to be determined.

“There are a lot of schools in the mix for those last two,” he said. “I hope to make my decision before the season. I want to have everything done before the season, then make a smooth transition to college after signing day in December.”