Dominating the trenches with elite run-stop metrics, the Sooners' defensive anchor emerges as a top national powerhouse poised to terrorize the SEC and secure first-round draft status
PFF dropped their top 50 players in college football for the upcoming season, and Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone came in at No. 31 overall with a 76.4 grade from last season.
That’s a big-time ranking for a guy who’s already making noise in the SEC.
PFF analysts Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick had this to say about Stone: "Stone's potential stands out even on an exceptionally talented Oklahoma defense that carried the team to the College Football Playoff last season. His 26 pressures tied for the third most among SEC defensive tackles in 2025. Even more impressive, he ranked second among FBS defensive tackles in run-stop rate (13.0%), trailing only Ohio State‘s Kayden McDonald."
His run-stop rate of 13.0% is elite. It means Stone was stopping runs behind the line of scrimmage at a really high clip. Only one other defensive tackle in the entire FBS was better. That’s the kind of production you want from your interior guy.
He’s not just occupying blockers — he’s making plays.
Stone also earned an 80.7 run defense grade last season, which is outstanding for a defensive tackle in the SEC. That grade shows how effective he was against the run, disrupting plays and making tackles in the backfield.
The fact that he did that while playing on a loaded Oklahoma defense that helped carry the team to the playoff makes it even more impressive.
He wasn’t the only good player on that front, he was one of the best.
This ranking is a big deal for the Sooners. Stone is entering his junior season and is widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Having him ranked inside the top 35 overall shows the national respect he’s getting.
Stone was also recently named a preseason Second Team All-American by Walter Camp Football.
If he can build on last year and take that next step into true dominance, he could be in the conversation for postseason All-American honors and Defensive Player of the Year talks.
Venables’ defense has been the strength of the program since he arrived. Having a guy like Stone in the middle who can command double teams and free up the edge rushers is huge. Taylor Wein and the rest of the front should benefit from Stone’s presence.
If Stone dominates like PFF thinks he can, this defense could be one of the best in the country again.
The Sooners have the talent to compete with anyone in 2026. With John Mateer back at quarterback and a loaded group of skill players on offense, they have the pieces. The defense being elite again under Venables is what gives them the chance to make another playoff run and push for the SEC title.
Stone’s potential is what stands out most. He’s already shown he can be a really good player, and this season he is taking on a much larger role as the defensive line anchor.
Now it’s about taking that next step into dominance. If he does that, OU’s defense will be scary.
Stone is a leader on that defense and a guy who can change games. Having him ranked this high shows the work he put in last season is paying off.
If he lives up to this ranking and takes that next step, it’ll make life a lot easier for the rest of the defense and the team as a whole.
