On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Oklahoma trending heavily for DL David Stone

A case could be made that Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star defensive lineman David Stone is Oklahoma’s biggest must-have recruiting target in the 2024 cycle.

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 the Sooners as Brent Venables and his staff rebuild Oklahoma’s defense.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Stone was back in Norman last month for an unofficial visit. And then he returned April 22 for the Sooners’ spring game. Michigan State and others have put up a significant fight to land Stone.

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.

March visit was crucial

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 he will have ample chances to spend more time with the coaching staff. His plan for now is also to take an official visit there.

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.”