Gerald McCoy Sees Big Things Ahead For David Stone

Former Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy knows what it takes to be a dominant force on the defensive line, and he thinks David Stone has that kind of potential.

McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and former No. 2 overall pick by the Buccaneers, recently shared his thoughts on the current Sooner star while talking to Kyle Odegard for RotoGrinders.

"I'm excited to see if he takes that next step," McCoy said. "He played well last year. He's got something to him. That's a really good defensive lineman. Now, can he cross over that threshold into dominance? There's a difference in playing really well and dominating. I believe he has the ability to dominate. I just want to see if he takes that next step."

That’s high praise coming from a guy who played at an elite level for years in pro football, and now works as an analyst for the NFL Network. McCoy isn’t just throwing compliments around. He sees the tools in Stone and is watching to see if he can take that final jump from good to great.

Expectations are sky high for Stone heading into 2026. He’s projected as a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft by most experts. That kind of buzz doesn’t come around often for an interior defensive lineman, but when you watch Stone play, you understand why.

He’s got the size, strength, quickness, and motor to be a problem for offenses every single week.

McCoy’s point about the difference between playing well and dominating is exactly right. Plenty of players have solid college careers. The special ones take over games and force coordinators to build entire game plans around stopping them.

Stone has flashed that ability, but now it’s time to do it consistently against the best competition in the SEC.

For Oklahoma fans, this is exciting. David Stone is one of the leaders of what should be another nasty Venables defense in 2026. If he takes that next step like McCoy believes he can, he could be in the conversation for All-American honors and Defensive Player of the Year.

That would make life a lot easier for the offense and put OU in position to make another serious playoff push.The Sooners have a chance to have one of the best defensive lines in the country again this fall.

With Stone, Taylor Wein, and the rest of the group, this front could be special. McCoy’s comments show how connected the OU family remains. Former players stay invested in the current guys, and that kind of mentorship matters.

Stone has the tools. He’s got the coaching. Now it’s about putting it all together and becoming that guy who changes games. If he does, 2026 could be a special year for him personally and for the Sooners as a team.

Gerald McCoy sees it. A lot of us see it. Now it’s up to David Stone to go out and prove it on Saturdays.