There is a long-standing maxim in college football and the sport of football in general that great offense will win you a lot of games, but it is great defense that wins championships. Although Oklahoma football is probably best known for its explosive, high-scoring offenses, the truth of the matter is, the best of the Sooners' national championship teams featured elite defenses, as well.
Head coach Brent Venables is recognized as one of the best defensive masterminds in the college game. In four seasons as the Oklahoma head coach, Venables has taken a defense that was among the bottom feeders in college football to a group that ranked No. 6 nationally in 2025, based on yards allowed per game (249.9), and No. 3 in rushing defense.
The heart of Venables' championship-level defenses, both at Clemson and Oklahoma, has always been up front at the point of attack with big, physical and athletic defensive linemen who command the line of scrimmage.
CBS Sports rightfully deems David Stone one of 'most feared' players in 2026
A former five-star recruit, defensive tackle David Stone epitomizes what Venables looks for in a defensive lineman. CBS Sports included Stone in its ranking of the 26 "most-feared" defensive players in college football looking ahead to the 2026 season. Stone was No. 7 in the CBS Sports ranking.
"The Sooners' defensive ranking rises or falls with Stone's ability to control the middle of the line of scrimmage," CBS Sports college football writer Brad Crawford wrote. "Stone demands double teams that frees up edge rushers and linebackers to operate with cleaner lanes and more aggressive angles."
Crawford went on to note that what makes Stone so indispensable in the interior of the OU defensive line is his balance.
"He's strong enough to anchor against the run but explosive enough to collapse pockets as a pass rusher," he wrote.
When he committed to Oklahoma as a member of the Sooners' 2024 recruiting class, Stone was the highest-rated defensive tackle to commit to OU since Gerald McCoy in 2006. He has since risen as a first-round NFL Draft prospect heading into his junior season.
Read more: David Stone is nearing his 5-star NFL Draft destiny for the Sooners
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Stone was a centerpiece and key disrupter on the OU defensive front as a sophomore last season. He had 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup while stuffing run gaps in 2025. He will be expected to play an even bigger role this season with the departure of defensive tackle Gracen Halton for the NFL.
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