Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone enters his junior season as a first-time team captain, tasked with anchoring a unit that lost two leaders to the NFL and now carries his name at the top.

Stone, who acknowledged the captaincy during fall camp media availability on Aug. 7, said the transition wasn't smooth. A spring injury kept him off the field, and leading from the sideline didn't fit his personality.

"Honestly, I struggled at first," Stone told the Norman Transcript. "This is my first ever time being a captain of any team. I know it comes with a lot of weight, so I'm trying to live up to that."

He adapted. Stone said the spring forced him to seek feedback from teammates and develop a vocal leadership style, describing himself as someone who wants to "get out front and show you guys how it's done."

The Sooners lost defensive tackle captains Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams to the NFL after the 2025 season. Stone, who recorded 43 tackles and 1.5 sacks last year, steps into that void on a defense that ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (15.5 points per game), according to NCAA stats. OU also finished sixth in total defense and third against the run, per Fox Sports.

OU defensive line coach and associate head coach Todd Bates praised Stone's growth at the program's local media day, saying the defense naturally gravitates toward the junior and listens to what he has to say. Bates called it "a big deal" to have someone ready to step into the captaincy after losing two leaders from the room.

Off the field: Stacks for Sacks

Stone's leadership extends beyond the locker room. His season-long "Stacks for Sacks" campaign will collect per-sack donations from fans and businesses throughout the 2026 season, with proceeds going to RECON-nect, an Oklahoma City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free mental wellness support for veterans, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS workers.

The Norman Transcript reported that Stone's community involvement was a factor in his captaincy selection, a detail he accidentally revealed during his Aug. 7 media session.

Bates said he expects Stone to remain community-minded throughout his career, calling him "a special human being" whose heart is to give back wherever he goes.

Stone has earned preseason All-Conference honors at both the first- and second-team level and is generating buzz as a potential top defensive tackle prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Up next

The Sooners open the 2026 season at home against UTEP on Sept. 4.