Interview: Two-way Jenks star Dillon Stoner has colleges lining up on both sides of the field

Sometimes being good at multiple things can hinder one from being great at any one particular thing, this is not the case for Dillon Stoner. The Class of 2016 talent has actually parlayed his skills and acumen for the game into being a standout at wide receiver, cornerback, and even on special teams as a punt returner.

When most people think of a wide receiver or cornerback they immediate relate the positions to speed. Adding punt returner into the mix shows just how tough the 6’0”, 180 pound, Stoner is on the field. Even for a football player it takes someone mentally tough to be able to go across the middle for a pass, come up in run support with pulling linemen coming at you, and being willing to sacrifice your body from a standing position with 11 guys running in your direction with a full head of steam as a punt returner… just another Friday night for Stoner.

Stoner’s regular Friday nights have been impressive starting with his sophomore season at Jenks High School. Playing for a state title team in 2013 he came up with 32 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and two picks. His junior season was even better on the stat line knocking down the ball carrier 48 times while picking off five passes taking one back to the house for a touchdown.

Helping the Trojans secure back-to-back state titles, three consecutive in total, he added wide receiver to his list of duties hauling in 35 passes for 597 yards with six additional scores in 2014.

Interest and offers started rolling in for Stoner. Arkansas, Arkansas State, Kansas, North Texas, Rice, Washington State, and Wyoming have extended offers with Arizona State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, UT-San Antonio, Tulsa, Western Michigan, and Yale all showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview we got up with Dillon to go over Jenks state championship run in 2014, recruiting, and offseason workouts preparing for a three-peat in 2015.

 

Dillon, first, congratulations on winning a state title in 2014.

“Thank you.”

Not many teams get to do what Jenks did last season. You avenged both regular season losses to Union (24-13) and Owasso (7-6) by beating them back-to-back in the state playoffs for title, first Owasso 42-14 and then Union 21-14. How did that feel getting revenge?

“It was awesome honestly. Union is our biggest rivalry. They’re a great team. It was a great feeling to knock them off and win a state championship.”

Did you expect to have another title run in 2014 entering the season?

“I knew we were in good hands with our coaching staff. We lost a lot of seniors in 2013. Our first couple of games we were still trying to figure everything out but the rest of the season went well for us.”

How do the Trojans look heading into the 2015 season?

“Honestly, we started a lot of juniors last year. We did not lose a whole lot of people from last year’s team. We lost some offensive linemen and a big defensive lineman, but I think we are looking good.”

What are your strengths on the field at wide receiver and at cornerback?

“At wide receiver my routes – my route running is a strength. People don’t think I am as quick as I am, easy to get separation. Defensively for me my strengths our coverage and I’m not afraid to come up and hit.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last season?

“I think I was named First-Team All-Metro and Second-Team All-State, I’m not exactly sure what it was I earned.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“Four-peat, win another state championship next season.”

Not that you don’t do enough already, but will your role change next year? Will you see an expanded role within the offense?

“I think I’m going to play at different positions on offense, positions outside of slot receiver to help the team. I might play some safety. I’ll play wherever I can help the team most.”

You have a lot of offers on the table. What position are some of the schools recruiting you to play?

“Different schools have offered me for different positions. Arkansas and Arkansas State are recruiting me to play safety. Kansas and North Texas have offered me at wide receiver. Washington State is recruiting me to play either one.”

Do you have a preference?

“I do not have a preference, I’ll play wherever I can get on the field and play the quickest and help the team.”

You’ve been on a few unofficial visits to schools like Arkansas and Kansas lately. How did the visit to Arkansas go?

“It went good. I went up there about a month ago with my dad. We got to tour the campus and tour the facilities. They offered me when I went up there to tour everything. I really liked it.”

How did your visit to Kansas go?

“I was up there for the KU relays. I talked to Coach (Klint) Kubiak (wide receivers coach). He wanted me to come check everything out. All my family was there, we got to tour all the facilities there as well. I liked it. I thought it was really cool.”

What other schools have hosted you on unofficial visits?

“I went to UTSA. I’ve been to SMU and went to Tulsa’s Junior Day.”

What will influence your decision on where you’re going to play your college ball?

“I’d like to stay kind of close to home. If the opportunity presents itself to go further out where it’s a benefit I’ll go further out. I’d like to stay close. Academics and where I can get on the field and play will influence me.”

What schools do you like that have not offered you yet?

“Obviously in-state schools like Oklahoma and OSU (Oklahoma State), that I’d be big. TCU, Baylor, and Texas A&M, big time programs like that. I am happy with the offers I have now as well.”

Do you have a list of favorites?

“My top three would be Kansas, Arkansas, and WSU in no order.”

Are you going to any one-day college camps this summer?

“I think so but I have none planned out right now.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“Right now I am in track. I’m trying to get my speed up. After that I’ll go to offseason football put weight back on and get stronger. I’m trying to figure out the camps. I’m excited and looking forward to the offseason for sure.”

You mention you compete in track, which events?

“I’m in the 400, 4×4, 4×1, 4×2, 4×8, and high jump put it all depends on the meet.”

What is your best 400 time this year?

“My best time is 48.7. I’m shooting for 47 by the end of the year.”

What is your best high jump?

“I’ve jumped 6-foot 4-inches.”

Do you play any other sports for Jenks?

“This is my first year not to play basketball.”

What do you want to major in when you go to college?

“I think I want to major in business, I’m not sure what part.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My parents have had the biggest impact more than anyone. They’ve been very supportive through the whole recruiting process. They made it clear they would support me if I went further away. They’ve been supporting me since I started playing. It’s been awesome.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love hanging out with my teammates getting closer to them. I think they’ll be my best friends for the rest of my life. It’s awesome getting closer to them.”

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: 247Sports.com; Dillon Stoner at the University of Arkansas.

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 21 Dillon Stoner.