Tag: David Stone

Oklahoma Sooners offer four-star DL prospect and Auburn commit Malik Autry

Oklahoma has offered fast-rising 2025 four-star DL prospect Malik Autry.

Oklahoma just had one of its all-time best defensive line recruiting hauls with their 2024 class. It was headlined by five-star defensive tackle David Stone but there were multiple four-star defensive linemen in the Sooners’ haul.

Oklahoma needed every single signee as the Sooners were set to be pretty thin along their defensive line after the 2024 season. They now turn their recruiting efforts to 2025, where the Sooners already have one commitment from three-star nose tackle Ka’Mori Moore.

Moore committed last summer, and Oklahoma is in pursuit of adding more.

Their most recent offer is to four-star prospect Malik Autry. Autry is a large human being who most certainly fits the mold of the 1-technique type of nose tackle that the vast majority of SEC teams seem to have. He is the no. 89 overall prospect in the Top247 and is seeing his recruitment take off. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him rise into the top 60 nationally when it’s all said and done.

Autry stands tall at six-foot-five and clocks in at 320 pounds. He hails from Alabama and is currently committed to the Auburn Tigers. He was offered by Todd Bates, who is from Alabama himself. Bates has long been considered an excellent recruiter for his ability to connect with the gentlemen he recruits. Can he help loosen the bond between Auburn and help give Oklahoma a fighting chance?

Malik Autry’s Recruiting Profile

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Co-defensive coordinator Todd Bates, Oklahoma working on new contract per report

Oklahoma defensive tackles coach and Co-DC Todd Bates is set to receive a raise and new three year deal per report.

It’s been one heck of a start to 2024 for co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.

He received a pay bump earlier this offseason and appears headed for another raise according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

According to Zenitz, Bates is set to push his salary up to $900,000 per year as he finalizes a three-year contract extension with the Sooners. The extension rewards Bates for his contributions and comes on the heels of an offseason, where, according to the report, Bates was being pursued by other programs this offseason. Instead, the well-respected defensive line coach will stay in Norman to continue the work of rebuilding the Sooners defensive line.

Bates has been a monumental add for his development of the Oklahoma defensive line in larger part because of his prowess on the recruiting trail.

Bates was the primary recruiter for the Sooners in their pursuit of five-star defensive tackle David Stone. Stone was the first five-star defensive tackle the Sooners have landed in over a decade. He has also helped transform the Oklahoma defensive line that led the NCAA in tackles for loss or for no gain last season.

For Bates, his journey is just getting started. He has yet to see a complete cycle of his recruits manifest on the field. He’s revitalized the interior defensive line at Oklahoma.

Still, this year represents a significant step in competition as his unproven unit will have their first season in the SEC. They will be face some of the best offensive linemen in the country on a weekly basis.

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Who’s the most important newcomer for the Sooners, according to ESPN?

Which addition this offseason is the most important newcomer for the 2024 Oklahoma Sooners?

The Oklahoma Sooners landed another strong recruiting class in the 2024 cycle along with several big-time additions via the transfer portal.

No player received as much attention on the recruiting trail or in the portal than the addition of five-star defensive lineman [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. If there was a “must-have” player in this cycle, it was Stone, an Oklahoma native who finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Stone brings an impressive blend of size, speed, and strength to the Oklahoma Sooners defensive line. He can line up as a defensive end in three-man fronts or slide in to play three-technique defensive tackle (between the guard and the tackle) in four-man alignments.

The talent he brings to the field will pay huge dividends for the Oklahoma Sooners defense. And that could be as soon as this season. ESPN took a look at the most important newcomer (ESPN+) for each team in their top 25 power rankings, and Tom VanHaaren believes it’s David Stone.

The Sooners are joining the SEC and you can never have enough athletic, versatile defensive linemen in that league. Oklahoma is still trying to elevate its defense and Stone will help. He’s a 6-foot-4, 280 pound lineman who fits what coach Brent Venables wants up front and can help get after the quarterback or stop the run. He is the No. 1 defensive tackle in the class and was a huge recruiting win for the Sooners’ staff. – Tom VanHaaren, ESPN

There is certainly a case to be made for Stone, who is as important of an addition as the Sooners have made in the Brent Venables era. He could certainly be a day-one contributor for the Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle. At the same time, the jump from high school to college can be a difficult transition, especially at a position like defensive tackle where they’re dealing with bigger players and a more physical game. Stone has the right mentality and work ethic to make the adjustment.

Whether he has his breakout season in 2024 or beyond, Stone will be a game changer for the Oklahoma Sooners defense.

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Oklahoma among teams with the most players in 247Sports Top247

Oklahoma put together a great recruiting class in 2024, finishing among the teams with the most Top247 signees in the country.

The Oklahoma Sooners put together arguably their best class of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era in 2024. It wasn’t ranked higher than the 2023 class, but because of the defensive talent it is bringing in, it makes a strong argument for the top spot.

A great way to show the strength of a class is to look at how many blue-chip prospects a team signed. Blue-chip prospects are defined as four- and five-star prospects. To show how important that is, according to the blue-chip ratio, programs need to sign more four- and five-star recruits than two- and three-star players over the previous four recruiting classes (better than a 1:1 ratio) to have a shot at a title.

To go further, three of the four College Football Playoff teams this past season met the blue-chip ratio criteria heading into the season, including the eventual national champion. Every national champion has met the blue-chip ratio criteria dating to the tool’s inception in 2013. So, how did Oklahoma fare compared to other teams in the 2024 class? Turns out, quite well.

The Sooners were among the top 10 teams that signed the most prospects from the 247Sports Top247 player rankings.

Oklahoma Sooners No. 8 in ESPN’s 2024 team recruiting rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners finished the 2024 recruiting cycle No. 8 in ESPN’s team recruiting rankings.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the Oklahoma Sooners have done a fantastic job on the recruiting trail since their head coach arrived in December of 2021. They’ve put together three consecutive top 10 classes, highlighted by the No. 5 class in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

In 2024, they’ll finish with the No. 8 recruiting class, according to ESPN (ESPN+).

He and his staff continue to stack talent year after year, building the competitive depth on the roster as they prepare for year one in the SEC. And they’ve done so by taking advantage of their proximity to the State of Texas.

The Sooners are preparing to enter the SEC by adding more talent to a 2023 class that ranked in the top five. Texas remains a key recruiting ground, as the Sooners have added several ESPN 300 prospects from there. – Haubert, ESPN

While Oklahoma and Texas make up 13 of their 28 signees, the Sooners 2024 recruiting class spanned 12 states.

It’s a balanced class with blue-chip prospects on both sides of the ball. But it’s what they did along the defensive line that may prove to be the most important moving forward.

Five-star DT [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] returns to his home state via IMG and, as an explosive and agile big man, he can be an immediate contributor and impact presence for them in the trenches.  – Haubert, ESPN

[autotag]David Stone[/autotag] is the cornerstone piece for the Sooners this cycle. His blend of power, quickness, speed, and incredible work ethic give him an opportunity to be an instant contributor in 2024. Oklahoma needs to find some interior pass rush. While expecting a true freshman to come in and be a day-one impact player may not be reasonable, David Stone has the talent to exceed all expectations for the true freshman in year one.

In addition to Stone, the Sooners added four-star prospects Jayden Jackson, Nigel Smith, Danny Okoye, and Wyatt Gilmore. Because of their size and athleticism each of their blue chip defensive linemen has an opportunity to be instant contributors in 2024. Even if they don’t, though, this group will serve as the foundation of Oklahoma’s defensive lines for the next four years.

The Sooners have done a fantastic job on the recruiting trail and the results are beginning to follow with a 10-win season in 2023. Now they have to take a step in their development and performance as Oklahoma wades into the SEC waters in 2024.

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Sooners earn crystal ball from 247Sports director of football recruiting

247

The Oklahoma Sooners look like they’re in the driver’s seat for a five-star defender in the [autotag]2025 recruiting cycle[/autotag].

Over the weekend, predictions rained down from On3, favoring the Sooners to land five-star defender [autotag]Jonah Williams[/autotag]. Williams, out of Galveston, Texas, is a two-sport athlete and one of the best defenders in the [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag].

On Tuesday, 247Sports national recruiting director Steve Wiltfong issued a crystal ball prediction supporting the Sooners’ standing with Williams.

Williams is an incredible talent who has a knack for making plays in deep safety roles as well as in run support. His ability, combined with his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, makes him an intriguing option for the cheetah role in [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag] and [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ defense.

He’s the No. 14 player in the 247Sports composite. Listed as a linebacker with 247Sports, he’s the No. 2 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class.

Whether he plays linebacker, safety or cheetah at the next level, just get him on the football field. He’s the kind of player that can help take your defense to the next level with his playmaking ability.

Oklahoma put itself in a comfortable position in Williams’ recruitment, but it can’t get too comfortable. Williams has offers from the who’s who of college football and every one of those programs would love to turn the momentum in their favor.

If the Sooners eventually sign Williams, he would be their fourth five-star prospect in the last three recruiting classes, joining [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag], [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag].

That’s how you build a defense.

More: 5-Star prospect Jonah Williams recruiting profile

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Sooners receive prediction for 2025 5-star defender Jonah Williams

Oklahoma Sooners received a prediction to land 2025 five-star defender Jonah Williams.

In each of the last two recruiting cycles, the Oklahoma Sooners have found a way to land a trio of five-star defenders in [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag], [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag], and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. They might be heading to another recruiting cycle with a five-star defender in the [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag].

[autotag]Jonah Williams[/autotag], out of Galveston, Texas, was predicted to land with the Oklahoma Sooners by Texas recruiting insider for On3, Justin Wells.

Williams looks like a player who could play multiple positions with the Oklahoma Sooners. He’s got the athleticism and size to play either safety or cheetah for the Sooners. But if Brent Venables and his staff wanted to bulk him up, he could also be a factor at linebacker.

Regardless of where he ends up on the field, Williams will make an impact. Simply put, he’s a really good football player. He could probably start at wide receiver, running, back, cornerback, or safety for a large number of Power Four programs.

Williams holds offers from 27 programs across the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, including notable programs like Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oregon, LSU, and Ohio State.

As a safety, Williams shows fantastic awareness in zone coverage and a natural ability to attack the ball in the air. He’s a wrap-up tackler, displaying good form when attacking ball carriers and wide receivers. And he attacks the line of scrimmage with aggressiveness and speed.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long way to go in this recruitment, but this is a strong indication that Oklahoma is in a strong position to add one of the most talented defenders in the nation to their 2025 recruiting class.

Jonah Williams Recruiting Profile

Projections

  • (Rivals Futurecast
  • On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine favors the Oklahoma Sooners with a 91.8% chance to land Williams
  • (Crystal Ball)

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Where each of the Oklahoma Sooners signees finished in final 2024 recruiting rankings

A look at where each Oklahoma Sooners 2024 signee finished in the final rankings for the 2024 recruiting cycle.

The 2024 recruiting class finished in the top 10 for the Oklahoma Sooners. It was an important class, as it marked the first group of players that would play their entire career in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

Given the need to rebuild the offensive and defensive lines to be able to contend in the SEC, additional importance was placed on landing a strong offensive and defensive line class. And [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff did just that.

But that’s not where the impressive returns stopped. Oklahoma also came through with the top running back in the cycle and a blue-chip set of wide receivers. It was an impressive cycle for [autotag]Emmett Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag].

[autotag]Davon Mitchell[/autotag] was considered the top tight end in the 2025 recruiting cycle before reclassifying to 2024, giving Joe Jon Finley a bonafide star to work with.

At defensive back, Jay Valai and Brandon Hall continued to pull in impressive talents, landing four-star prospects [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremiah Newcombe[/autotag], [autotag]Mykel Patterson-McDonald[/autotag], [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag], and [autotag]Devon Jordan[/autotag].

At quarterback, the Sooners landed highly productive passers from two big football states in [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] from Texas and [autotag]Brendan Zurbrugg[/autotag] from Ohio. Two years ago, the depth at the position was questionable. Now [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] has an impressive group of passers to lead his offense into the future.

Looking back at the trenches. The Sooners landed two legit studs in [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] for the interior and three blue-chip prospects to work along the edge in [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag], and [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag].

It was a necessity heading into the SEC, where the offensive line play and physicality in the trenches go to another level. And as much as we love the defensive line recruiting, the offensive line recruiting could end up being just as impactful.

Sure, aside from [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag], Bill Bedenbaugh’s group didn’t receive a ton of recognition in recruiting circles. But it’s an athletically impressive group with a strong work ethic and a lot of upside.

So as we turn the page on Oklahoma’s 2024 recruiting class, let’s take a look at how each player finished in the final player rankings from ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, and On3.

At the end, you can see which recruiting service liked each of Oklahoma’s signees the most.

5 positions where the Oklahoma Sooners are better than they were a year ago

Every year there is roster turnover, but where are the Sooners better? Here are five positions Oklahoma’s better than they were a year ago.

Every offseason teams around college football have to deal with a significant amount of turnover to their roster. That’s been the case for the Sooners each season of the Brent Venables era.

No position group was hit harder than the offensive line. They lost the five guys that were starters for the majority of the season. Though they’ve been able to retool the lineup with transfer portal additions, it will be months before we know if those additions will work out.

Elsewhere, however, the Sooners look to be in really good shape, especially when you compare it to how several positions looked this time last year.

Here are five position groups that look better compared to where they were a year ago.

David Stone ascends to No. 1 Defensive Lineman in the nation for 2024

David Stone finishes out the 2024 cycle rising into the top 5 of Rivals player rankings as the No. 1 defensive lineman.

The most important recruitment of the 2024 recruiting cycle came on the defensive side of the football. That was the pursuit of five-star defensive tackle David Stone.

Though there were others in pursuit of the Oklahoma native, it was the Sooners that landed one of the best prospects regardless of position in the cycle.

Now, as recruiting services finalize their ranking for the 2024 class, Oklahoma’s five-star defensive tackle signee has another accolade to add to his ledger. Stone ascended to earn the top spot among defensive linemen, according to Rivals. In the process, he rose to be the No. 5 overall player in the class.

Stone overtook former Sooners target and Missouri signees Williams Nwaneri in Rivals’ rankings.

The tools are there for Stone to be an elite player at the collegiate level. But in addition to what he can do physically, he sounds like a player who is going to put the work in to make sure he does meet and exceed expectations.

With Stone’s arrival in the midyear, he’ll have a chance to be an impact player as a true freshman for the Oklahoma Sooners. OU needs interior pass rush help, and Stone’s ability to play with power and speed will create havoc on the inside.

His ascension into Rivals top five is just the latest sign in the tireless work ethic David Stone is bringing to Norman. If he isn’t already a fan favorite, it won’t be long before he is.

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