College scouts missing out on Florida 2024 DL Adrian Stone
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Some diamonds in the rough are bigger than others, and the one out of North Fort Myers High School (Fla.) is about as big as it gets. On the Red Knights’ roster, Adrian Stone is a difference maker in the defensive trenches, one that opposing Sunshine State squads have to scheme against play after play. Stone (6-4, 290) is a D-I prospect being missed along the recruiting trail.
Thanks to Hurricane Ian, North Fort Myers missed a few regular season games last fall, but Stone still put up the gawdy numbers registering 78 total tackles, 30 solo, 13 tackles for a loss, 18 QB hurries, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and one PBU.
Fans in the stands can expect more of the same this season.
“I’ll be playing around the whole d-line this year to keep teams on their toes,” Stone said. “Teams keyed on me at 3-tech last year. I will be playing tackle, some nose, playing at the edge, and dropping back on certain plays; it will be fun.”
With the physical comes the cerebral from the 2024 prospect.
“Three things I have been working on are pad level, I’m doing better with that, my hands, that is a big one, you always want to shoot your hands first, and hips, you want to work on flipping your hips and being more athletic than the man in front of you,” Stone shared. “Those are the three main things I have been working on.”
Adrian Stone at NC State.
From the classroom, where he carries a 3.2 GPA, to the weight room, Stone is getting it done.
“My power clean is 285, my bench is 340, and my squat is 430,” Stone stated.
Asked if he put down a timed run this offseason, Stone replied, “Yes, sir. I ran a 5.1 at the beginning of the summer.”
Six teams have offered Stone with interest percolating as the 2023 season begins.
“Louisville, NC State, Central Michigan, and Jacksonville State in Alabama are the biggest ones showing interest,” Stone said.
The rapport building with the Cardinals’ staff has been ongoing, and that includes a spring visit.
“I’ve had a connection with Louisville’s staff for a long time,” Stone shared. “They haven’t dropped the offer yet, that is what I am gunning for. I have a really close relationship with coach Mark Ivey, he is their linebackers coach now; but we still have a tight connection. I am ready to show their new d-line coach, coach (Mark) Hagen my abilities. Hopefully they offer me at the end of the year.”
Stone continued, “Louisville and Jacksonville State both text me often telling me about the school.”
After competing at Ohio State and Louisville camps in 2022, Stone took his talents to two camps this summer.
“I went to USF’s camp,” Stone stated. “I went undefeated at that camp. Last year at Ohio State’s camp, I also went undefeated, and I went 4-2 at Louisville’s camp. I also camped at UNC Pembroke, I did very well there as well.”
While college teams continue their scouting of Stone, two paid for trips are in the works.
“I will probably take an official to Lafayette in Pennsylvania and Bethune-Cookman,” Stone said. “I want to take officials to those places to see what they have to offer.”
*Click the link for Adrian Stone’s Hudl page.