Five-Star Plus+ DL David Stone commits to Oklahoma: 'It goes deep with them'

Making a final commitment decision wasn’t an easy choice for Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Stone.

Oklahoma was the school recruiting him the longest, Michigan State is where he had some of his best relationships, and Miami is where he and his family felt the most at home. Each program led his recruitment at different points over the past year and a half. The Hurricanes made a strong late push in the final few months, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome the school he grew up watching as a kid in Del City, Oklahoma.

The No. 8 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking committed to the Sooners on Saturday night, giving Brent Venables another elite defensive lineman as he rebuilds OU’s program.

“Oklahoma has recruited me as long and as hard as anyone,” Stone told On3. “Going to Oklahoma, I get to play for a great defensive line coach in Todd Bates and a great coach in Brent Venables who is great on the defensive side of the ball.”

Stone is excited to be coached by Bates and Venables

Venables, the former Clemson defensive coordinator who has helped developed some of the country’s best defensive lineman in the last decade, made Stone a priority as soon he stepped foot in Norman. Lincoln Riley’s staff had been recruiting him before that, but it was under Venables that Stone named OU his leader last spring.

A big reason for that — and him ultimately committing to the Sooners — is his belief in the system Venables has built.

“Their system will be very beneficial for me as a defensive lineman because they know how to coach their guys up and where to line them up at to make plays,” Stone said. “They did a great job of that at Clemson, and they’re building it at OU too.”

Playing close to home is important

While Stone considered programs across the country, there was always part of him that wanted to be back in Norman after leaving for IMG Academy last summer.

He’ll get to be back close to his family and be part of the community he grew up in.

“Being from Oklahoma, going there gives me a chance to stay home and give back,” he said. “It has been a dream of mine since I was little to give back and this gives me that chance. It goes deep with Oklahoma.

… It is 30 minutes from home, I have a sister there and the relationships are deep between them and my family. I feel very comfortable around the coaches at Oklahoma, and that played a big role in my decision, too.”