The highly regarded defensive tackle made the most of his opportunities against the Maine Black Bears on Saturday.
David Stone, an Oklahoma defensive lineman, finally got his chance in the third quarter Saturday.
On third-and-5, Stone cut through the Black Bears’ offensive line and sacked Maine quarterback Carter Peevy for a 10-yard loss.
Stone’s first sack as a Sooner comes months after the 5-star recruit completed the majority of his work behind the scenes in 2024.
“I was talking to the coach before the drive and informed him that it was coming. It’s going to be this one,” Stone stated following the 59-14 victory. “I told him I was going to point to him, but I got carried away, overly excited, and lost myself. It was nice to be out there with the boys.
“Doing what we say, controlling the game in the moment. Being allowed to do so was a weird experience. Come to the sidelines; everyone was hyping me up. We had a good time.”
Coming in and instantly making an impact along the line of scrimmage is difficult for a true freshman, especially one who excelled at IMG Academy.
Jayden Jackson, Stone’s high school teammate, is an oddity.
While Stone’s playing time in 2024 has been limited, OU coach Brent Venables has continually commended his work ethic.
“He’s up in the coach’s offices every night just trying to get a little more knowledge,” Venables said last week. “And, just, he’s a gym rat who doesn’t shy away from difficult situations. And I adore that about him. “He’ll be a fantastic player.”
Stone is no stranger to hard effort, but he had to change his perspective throughout spring football and fall camp.
“I’ve just been staying patient, focused on what I need to do,” Stone informed me. “Develop into a fantastic player. Coach has been preaching to keep humble, down, and ready. I have been doing that.
“… Getting counsel from guys who have been in the same situation as me made things a little easier. They were advising me not to interpret it as, ‘You’re waiting.’ You aren’t waiting. You are getting ready. You are ready for a battle. Be prepared for any struggle that may arise. That’s all I have been doing.”
Stone now has five total tackles this season, two of which are for loss, including his sack versus Maine.
He had received defensive snaps in limited doses during SEC play, but the matchup with the Black Bears provided Stone and the other young members of OU’s defense with valuable experience late in the season.
“We have a lot of young, talented players,” Oklahoma defensive coordinator Zac Alley said. “Details definitely important. You dislike giving up the two drives at the end of the game.
“I always tell them that the standard never changes. Just because you are not the starter or haven’t played as much as the other players. When you enter the game, the expectations are the same as for everyone else.”
Stone took his shot on Owen Field, and he’ll continue to prepare mentally in case he’s needed in a bigger role in the Sooners’ remaining three conference games.
“It was great to play football. “That’s what I enjoy doing,” Stone stated. I’ve been doing this since I was four years old. It was a wonderful time. “… We’ll take it as it comes. Play one game at a time. On to the next. Watch the film. Sunday and Monday, learn from our mistakes and keep going. “On to Missouri.”
