Four officials lining for Florida five-star DT David Stone, Gators trip this weekend
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is an ebb and flow to the recruiting process, and like any relationship a slight change or disruption of any kind can alter an association. For five-star defensive tackle David Stone, the world of college football wants him but where he may end up is still up in the air in a process that may not have resolution until the Early Signing Period.
College teams have not backed off keeping tabs on the IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) defender.
“The teams reaching out the most right now are Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Florida, Miami, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Washington, Ohio State, and A&M,” Stone said.
In a previous interview with Stone, he shared Michigan State and Washington were in line to officially host him. That status was updated.
“I am looking at dates for Oregon, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and I am taking one to A&M during the season,” Stone shared.
The Ducks brought Stone on campus this spring for an altering visit.
“Our relationship has been pretty good,” Stone stated. “I didn’t think I would enjoy my visit as much as I did. They have been to my school. That was my first time there, it blew everything out of the water. That was probably my favorite visit as for a first-time impression.”
Florida five-star DT David Stone at Oregon.
Asked what impressed him during the visit, Stone replied, “Their facilities were nice, the fact that they are 10 years old is kind of crazy. Coach Tosh (Lupoi – DC) is smart. I feel that I can learn from him; that’s what it takes to play at the next level. He has what I need to know.”
Michigan State has been a dominating force in Stone’s recruitment, but a change on the Spartans staff has modified things. In January, defensive line coach Marco Coleman left East Lansing for Georgia Tech. Stone updated his relationship with Michigan State’s new defensive line coach Diron Reynolds.
“Coach Diron, I talk to him often,” Stone shared. “I will always have a relationship with the coaches at Michigan State. Our relationship is not as tight, but I do have respect for coach Diron as a coach; he has a good resume. I feel that is something that stacks up with other d-line coaches. I have been talking to him building that relationship.”
A long-standing relationship with the Aggies is paying off.
“Texas A&M has always been a school of interest in my recruitment,” Stone said. “My sister was supposed to go there, and I was supposed to go there too. We’ve had a relationship since my freshman year. Coach Rob (Elijah Robinson – DL) is coming by on Thursday. I get to see him.”
With Oregon jumping up on Stone’s private recruiting board, that is triggering another Pac-12 showdown that could heavily influence either program’s future if they sign the five-star.
“Oregon and Washington’s official visits are on the same weekend,” Stone stated. “We are trying to decide which one we will take. That will be a big decision to make.”
There is a possibility for two other programs to set official visit dates, but that decision is up to Stone’s mother.
“Ohio State, I’m not sure which dates they have for official visits,” Stone shared. “My mom, she has been talking to them. I don’t have one set for Miami either; I am sure it will come soon.”
Another team trying to get on that list of favorites is Florida. The Gators host Stone this weekend on an unofficial.
Asked what he wants to experience or learn on this visit, Stone replied, “Everything. The first time I went to Florida, it was a wild experience. I want to see Florida this weekend when it is calmer, and we can go more in depth on everything.”
In a previous interview conducted with Stone, he spoke about his relationship with the Sooners.
“I get to see them pretty much anytime I want; my sister goes there,” Stone stated. “It is like a 20-minute drive from my house. I have friends there; it is just like a home honestly. I can go there anytime I want.
“I talk to the coaches pretty much every other day,” Stone shared. “Coach (Todd) Bates (DT) texts my phone every day. I try to get on the phone with him pretty often; coach (Brent) Venables too. People on the team, I am close to them; they are like older brothers. I grew up with them in the city; I feel like that is a place for me.”