David Stone has quietly become college football's best DT

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When David Stone committed to the Oklahoma Sooners as part of the 2024 recruiting class, it was viewed as one of the program's biggest recruiting victories in years. The five-star prospect was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 10 recruit to ever sign with Oklahoma.

Although an Oklahoma native, Stone finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida. His freshman season featured a limited role as he adjusted to the college game. Stone finished his freshman campaign with just six tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack as a true freshman. After the season, he shocked the Sooners by entering the transfer portal; however, he elected to stay in Norman.

That decision quickly paid dividends for both Stone and the Sooners as he developed into a breakout performer. Stone recorded 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, emerging as one of the top defensive tackles in the country. In fact, on "The Hard Count," On3's Kaiden Smith said that he thinks Stone is the best defensive tackle in football.

"The person who made that all stir was David Stone, who I think is quietly the best defensive tackle in the nation," Smith said. "He's the kind of guy you have to have four hands on, on the offensive line. You have to double this guy."

Stone's decision to remain in Norman has already paid off, and expectations are even higher as 2026 approaches. If he continues to build on last season's breakout performance, he has a chance to establish himself as one of the premier defensive players in the country. With Oklahoma aiming to field the nation's top defense, Stone is expected to be one of the cornerstones of that pursuit.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: David Stone has quietly become college football's best DT

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