BRADENTON, Fla. — Five-star defensive tackle David Stone will announce his college choice on Saturday. The finalists are Oklahoma, Miami and Michigan State.
He recently said Miami is “his family’s favorite place to be,” and even held up The U after a big play during his team’s first game of this season last week. But the Sooners — who have one of his IMG Academy teammates as part of their 2024 class — have been receiving the most buzz among recruiting analysts.
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While there will be only one winner when Stone signs in December, let’s not gloss over the fact Stone is winning, too.
He’s enjoyed the entire process of being one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, receiving red-carpet treatment at campuses from coast to coast.
We caught up with Stone a few weeks ago at IMG’s media day to review what the process has been like.
“Man, I’ve made a lot of good memories. I’ve been a lot of places, seen a lot of things, done a lot of things,” said Stone, who began his tour of college campuses two years ago in his home state of Oklahoma and has visited Florida, Miami, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Washington, Oregon and others along the way.
Great way to start my senior year. My family drove 10+ hours to come, I was in tears before the game just having my family there to support really gave me an edge, because there was no way I was going to have a bad game with them in the stance. #SeniorYear #Family pic.twitter.com/QLEHabLO0K
— David “Stoney” Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) August 20, 2023
Which experience sticks out the most?
“I mean, every visit I’ve been to Michigan State has been amazing,” Stone said. “I make new memories all the time. It’s just been wonderful. One particular here recently, it was on my official visit. It was me, someone else and coach (Mel) Tucker and we were all in the office chatting for a while. Coach Tucker is a big rap guy, the culture behind it, and we were just vibing. Later that day after we watched a bunch of film, Coach Tuck drove me around town in a Spider, a three-wheel car. That was pretty special.
“I wasn’t expecting him to be a rap guy. But he knows a lot of current songs. I mean, word for word.”
At one point, Stone said, he and Tucker started rapping Lil Baby’s 2017 hit “Freestyle” together.
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“That’s a good one,” he said. “Everyone knows that song. That was one of my favorite ones we got to sing together.”
Of course, Tucker isn’t the only coach who drove Stone around in a cool car during an official visit. Florida’s Billy Napier did, too, but the Gators aren’t among his three finalists. The vibe just wasn’t there.
Stone indicated he hadn’t made up his mind yet but will have a decision in time for Saturday’s announcement.
“I mean every place I can choose I’d be okay with,” Stone said. “I’m okay with being at Miami, Michigan State or Oklahoma. The final decision for me is how my family feels. Me being away from home, I want to make sure they’re comfortable. If I plan to move them out with me, that’s something that’s an option as well. It’s about location and if it’s okay for them. It’s the overall picture for my family, an overall better environment for them.”
How does it feel to have three colleges willing to help make that a reality?
“Honestly, I feel normal,” Stone said. “I mean at first, I remember getting my first offer and I was crying. I never thought I’d be in the position I am today. But I’m glad. I worked my butt off for this. I’ve gotten older, my eyes have become more wide open and I’m more used to this new normal.”
The hardest part is going to be disappointing two programs that he’s grown to appreciate.
“I can’t make everyone happy. If I could I would,” Stone said. “I feel like there’s no way to. Some schools are going to have a lot of hurt feelings if I don’t pick them — especially the school back home.”
Stone said he doesn’t want to make his announcement too elaborate. He’s planning simply to reveal his choice and put the team’s hat on at halftime of IMG’s game on Saturday, in Ocean City, N.J. His family is making the trip for the game.
“My mom kind of wants me to (do more),” he said. “But I don’t think I will.”
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Stone said that Texas A&M could make a late move but feels it’s mostly a three-team race. And all three could use him badly.
Michigan State’s class is ranked No. 52 in the 247Sports Composite and doesn’t have a defensive lineman among its 12 commitments.
Miami has the 15th-ranked class and three blue-chip defensive linemen committed, but the Canes have lost key battles for some of the top recruits in the country at the position.
Oklahoma’s class is 16th and has two blue-chip defensive linemen committed.
Stone believes all three schools will prepare him for the next level.
“I mean, everyone has benefits,” Stone said. “I feel like (Oklahoma associate head coach Todd) Bates has that history at (Clemson) of producing D-linemen. As far as relationships, I feel like I have a tight relationship with all three of them.”
IMG coach Billy Miller has worked with Stone since he transferred in as a junior. The boarding school has more former players in the NFL than any other high school program in the country. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Stone, who is ranked No. 6 nationally, has all of the ingredients to be another one.
“David’s grown a lot since he’s been here,” Miller said. “Very mature player. Obviously, he does a great job on the field. Tough to block. He’s long and athletic, has great burst, uses his hands extremely well. I think that’s hard to find at the high school level. Finding guys that will put their hands on people, instead of using their shoulders to make contact — he’s a violent shedder (of blocks).
“He loves football. He understands what football can bring to him and his family. His mom’s back in Oklahoma. So there’s a really strong relationship between them. He was looking to provide for his family one day. He’s totally invested in this program and his development.”
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Being at IMG since last year, Stone said, has taught him how to live away from home and be independent. He said he’s learned how to be a leader.
Now, he’s only a few months away from taking the next step in the pursuit of his dreams.
“Thankfully,” he said, “I’ve made a lot of great relationships along the way.”
(Photo: Manny Navarro / The Athletic)
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