5-star DL David Stone set for another visit to Oklahoma

Five-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive lineman David Stone is a familiar face at Oklahoma being an Oklahoma City native.

He also happens to be arguably the Sooners’ top remaining target in the 2024 recruiting class, alongside five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Stone was back in Norman last month for an unofficial visit, and that won’t be his last time on campus this spring. On Monday, he announced that he’ll be in attendance for the Sooners’ spring game on April 22.

My first Sooner spring game! https://t.co/egjymfj4Dx

— David “Stoney” Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) April 17, 2023

March visit was pivotal for Stone

Stone has been to Oklahoma more times than he count, as a native of the Oklahoma City area. He’s developed bonds with the staff in Norman that are tighter than any other program in the country. But last month, he got a chance to spend a lot of one-on-one time with assistant Todd Bates, who has been leading the way in his recruitment since he was hired.

“This visit was really about me and Coach Todd Bates,” Stone told On3’s Chad Simmons. “They were on spring break, but Coach Bates was there and we spent some time together. With Coach Bates and Oklahoma, it is a little different. He goes over the playbook with me. We talk about the scheme. That way if I do decide to go there, I would be ready to play. That is something different with Oklahoma. That is the only school I am doing that with.”

Stone feels as though that gives the Sooners a bit of an edge because he likes how it’s preparing him to make an impact for the next level. He’ll also be back in Oklahoma City over the summer and will have ample chances to spend more time with the coaching staff. His plan for now is also to take an official visit there.

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.”