Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle overview after David Stone enters tranfer portal
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The Oklahoma Sooners have a new problem on their hands. Former five-star defensive tackle David Stone entered the transfer portal on Friday night, putting a dent in their defensive tackle depth for 2025 and beyond.
Stone was trending in a positive direction to contribute significantly in 2025. He was at minimum going to be a part of Oklahoma's rotation at defensive tackle.
Four defensive tackles recorded more than 300 snaps in 2024, led by Damonic WIlliams and Gracen Halton, who each played over 400 snaps last year. Jayden Jackson and DaJon Terry were the other interior defensive linemen that recorded more than 300 snaps last year. With Terry gone and the emergence of Stone this offseason, the former five-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class looked to have a huge opportunity in front of him.
Now what does Oklahoma's defensive tackle group look like?
Oklahoma's Defensive Tackle Group
OU still has three of their top four players in snaps at the position from 2024. Williams, Halton, and Jackson are all set to play big roles once again for the Sooners. Jackson sat out of spring ball after having some clean up work done on his shoulder earlier in the offseason but should be back in time to start fall camp.
Beyond their top three, the Oklahoma Sooners have been encouraged by the growth of Markus Strong, a former three-star player in the 2023 recruiting class. Strong was a late pursuit in the cycle. He had a pair of sacks in 2024, getting an opportunity late in the game against Temple.
The Sooners brought in four-star defensive tackle Trent Wilson out of Maryland. He's impressed with his size, physicality, and demeanor this spring. Though it can be difficult for a true freshman to contribute at the position in their first year on campus, it's not outside the realm of possibility. Jackson was a true freshman All-American for the Sooners in 2024. It can happen.
The Sooners are working to develop one-time wrestler and former three-star prospect out of Texas, Jacob Henry. Henry transitioned to football this spring and joined the Sooners. He has good size, and his wrestling background should help his transition back to football, but he may need more time to develop before he's ready to contribute significantly.
Ace Hodges was a walk-on in the 2024 recruiting class. He has good size and showed the ability to play with leverage in high school. He's got good strength for the position. Can he be another successful walk-on story?
Gracen Halton is this week's @SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week!
Against Houston, Halton recorded:
- his first career safety
- 1 sack for 11 yards
- 2 tackles for loss pic.twitter.com/qsZ6moBLhO— OU Nightly (@OUNightly) September 9, 2024
Defensive Tackle Depth Chart
| Nose Tackle | Defensive Tackle |
|---|---|
| Damonic Williams | Gracen Halton |
| Jayden Jackson | Trent Wilson |
| Markus Strong | Ace Hodges/Jacob Henry |
In the Transfer Portal
The Oklahoma Sooners have been linked to SEMO defensive tackle Jaylon Stone, a player that performed well in FCS play last season. He had six tackles for loss and two sacks and helped the SEMO defense hold opponents to 3.2 yards per carry lat year. The Sooners will host Stone for a visit in hopes of adding him to their defensive line room.
Another intriguing target is Syracuse freshman defensive tackle Maraad Watson. Watson was a freshman All-American last year. In 2024, he recorded 31 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.
Overview
The Oklahoma Sooners are still in a better position at defensive tackle than they were coming out of the 2023 season. The additions of Williams (transfer portal) and Jackson (2024 recruiting class), along with the emergence of Gracen Halton, who broke out with five sacks in 2024, have the Sooners still looking really good at defensive tackle despite the loss of Stone.
But the Sooners may need a veteran to solidify that fourth spot in the defensive tackle rotation to feel better about that group moving forward.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle outlook after David Stone departure
