The Sooners’ disruptive interior force is skyrocketing up boards, pairing elite versatility with violent hands to potentially snap Oklahoma’s defensive first-round drought in 2027
Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle David Stone continues to climb 2027 NFL Draft boards, and the college football season hasn't even started yet.
Once a highly touted high school recruit, Stone is now viewed by many as a potential top-10 overall selection and could emerge as one of the most impactful defensive players in the country this fall.
“Stone has long been regarded as a future top-10 pick, and he proved why as a sophomore last year. He has the versatility to play as either a 1-technique or 3-technique interior rusher, with outstanding anchor and awareness against the run, as evidenced by his 80.7 PFF run-defense grade last year,” reads the PFF Draft Guide.
This glowing evaluation highlights why Stone’s stock is ascending so rapidly.
With elite physical tools and refined technique, he fits the mold of a modern NFL interior disruptor who can dominate both the run and pass games from multiple alignments.
Stone has been hyped since high school as a future star, and many evaluators believe he could be the best defensive player in college football during the upcoming 2026 season.
At roughly 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, he brings the ideal combination of size, power, and twitchy athleticism to the position. His initial quickness and burst allow him to split gaps and disrupt plays instantly off the snap.
Paired with elite hand usage, violent, precise techniques that help him shed blocks effectively, Stone rarely stays engaged long enough for offensive linemen to sustain contact.
Despite the lofty expectations, Stone enters the season with just two career starts. The departure of key pieces like Damonic Williams opens the door for a significantly larger role.
This expanded opportunity is critical for his development and draft stock. A dominant junior year would not only boost Stone personally but also could elevate the Sooners' defense to the top of the SEC.
Production vs. Impact
Scouts are particularly excited about Stone’s potential even though his raw statistical production has been modest so far. He has just 2.5 sacks across his college career to date.
This season, he is expected to see frequent double teams as offenses focus on neutralizing his impact. While that may cap traditional box-score numbers, advanced evaluators will focus on his pressure rates, run-stop percentage, tackles for loss, and overall disruption.
His ability to command attention in the middle will create one-on-one opportunities for teammates.
Stone’s scouting report is filled with premium traits:
- Initial Quickness & Burst: Twitchy athleticism that lets him penetrate gaps immediately.
- Elite Hand Usage: Advanced, violent hand techniques to discard blockers.
- Pass Rush Productivity: Consistent pressures, TFLs, and stops beyond just sacks.
- Versatility & Power: Capable of aligning in multiple techniques with the frame and strength to hold up inside.
- Run Defense: A stout, disengaging defender with excellent lower-body strength and awareness against the run.
These attributes make him a scheme-versatile prospect who can thrive as a 1-tech or 3-tech rusher at the next level.
Historical Context for OU
A strong season from Stone would also carry program significance. Oklahoma has not had a defensive player selected in the first round since linebacker Kenneth Murray in 2020 by the Los Angeles Chargers.
The last defensive lineman from OU taken in Round 1 was Gerald McCoy, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010.
Stone has a legitimate opportunity to snap both droughts and become the next Sooner defender to hear his name called early on draft night.
If Stone delivers on his immense potential and performs like a top-10 talent on the field, it will validate years of hype and position him as a cornerstone prospect in the 2027 class.
For NFL teams searching for a high-floor, high-ceiling interior lineman who excels against the run while offering pass-rush upside, David Stone checks every box.
With his expanded role, elite traits, and continued development, the Sooners' star is firmly on the rise. Expect his name to trend higher on big boards throughout the 2026 season as he takes center stage in Norman.