Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone was once a consensus five-star recruit, and now, there seems to be a new consensus that he'll be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which is exactly according to plan.
With the 2026 NFL Draft last weekend, focus has immediately shifted to 2027 prospects, and Stone has been in every conversation already, with PFF putting him at No. 9 on its way-too-early big board for the 2027 NFL Draft.
David Stone already considered top 2027 NFL Draft prospect while proving recruiting hype correct
WAY TOO EARLY 2027 BIG BOARD 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/bL6thnTEkK
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 26, 2026
Stone seems destined to head to the NFL early after getting to Oklahoma in 2024 as a consensus five-star recruit. According to the 247Sports Composite, he was the No. 17 player in the class and No. 4 defensive lineman.
Those five stars aren't handed out at random. Five-star labels are given to only 32 players from each recruiting class who are expected to finish their college football careers as first-round draft picks. Obviously that's far from a guarantee, but Stone seems to be just a year away from proving all his recruiting ratings correct.
Read more: David Stone is already getting 1st-round hype for the 2027 NFL Draft
Stone immediately got playing time as a freshman in 2024 and has appeared in every game of his college career so far, with two starts last season along one of the best defensive lines in the country. Last season, Stone tallied 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup while stuffing run gaps.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Stone has the size to attract NFL scouts and will only gain even more experience as an expected full-time starter in 2026. That will also result in more production and more film to impress.
On top of PFF's ranking, multiple draft experts have also already predicted Stone to go in the first round of 2027 mock drafts, including Saturday Blitz at 21st overall to the Dallas Cowboys and 15th overall to the New York Jets by CBS Sports.
Recruiting ratings are never a guarantee, but with the time now here, Stone is a proven five-star.
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