Sure! Here’s a 2000-word article based on the breaking news that Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone has withdrawn from the NCAA Transfer Portal and will return to Oklahoma in 2025.
BREAKING: Sooners Defensive Lineman David Stone Withdraws from NCAA Transfer Portal, Will Return to Oklahoma in 2025
In a stunning twist that electrified the college football landscape on Sunday evening, Oklahoma Sooners star defensive lineman David Stone has officially withdrawn his name from the NCAA Transfer Portal and announced he will return to Norman for the 2025 season. The announcement, which came via Stone’s personal social media channels and was later confirmed by the university, sent shockwaves through the Big 12 and reaffirmed Oklahoma’s status as a serious national contender heading into the upcoming season.
Stone’s return cannot be overstated in terms of significance. As one of the most physically gifted and disruptive defensive linemen in all of college football, his presence on the field changes the complexion of any game he participates in. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound force has long been a cornerstone of the Sooners’ defense and a symbol of the team’s future under head coach Brent Venables, who now finds himself with a massive win—not in the recruiting cycle, not on the field in a game, but in the ever-turbulent terrain of the NCAA Transfer Portal.
For Oklahoma fans, this is more than just a return. It’s a redemption. It’s a reassurance. It’s a moment of triumph that feels like a victory before the season even begins. In an era where loyalty in college football is tested daily by NIL dollars and the lure of championship-ready programs, Stone’s decision to stay home says everything about the culture Oklahoma is building, the belief he has in his coaching staff, and the legacy he still wants to write in crimson and cream.
When Stone first entered the portal earlier this offseason, there was no shortage of speculation about where he could land. Programs from across the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC reportedly reached out. Rumors linked him to powerhouse defensive schemes at Georgia and Alabama, with some even suggesting he might reunite with former recruiting contacts at USC or Oregon. Yet despite the flirtations and potential new beginnings elsewhere, Stone never publicly wavered from his love for Norman.
Sources close to the program have said that Stone never truly wanted to leave. Those inside the locker room described his time in the portal more as a process of evaluation than an active departure. And now, with clarity and conviction, the former five-star recruit has come home.
Stone’s impact on the field speaks for itself. As a sophomore in 2024, he recorded 45 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, anchoring a front seven that improved dramatically under Venables’ guidance. His athleticism, combined with his violent hands and elite get-off, make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. But beyond the stats and the highlight reel plays, Stone brings leadership, intensity, and a mindset that sets the tone for Oklahoma’s defense.
His return also brings stability at a crucial time. The Sooners are preparing for their first full season in the SEC, and while the program is stocked with talent, depth and experience in the trenches are invaluable. Having a proven leader like Stone not only gives Oklahoma a difference-maker on the field but also a mentor for younger players still learning the demands of high-level SEC football. For defensive line coach Todd Bates, it’s a dream scenario—to have your most dominant lineman also be your hardest worker and most passionate voice.
Venables, who has spent the past three seasons rebuilding Oklahoma’s defense into a unit capable of winning championships, was clearly elated by the news. Though he did not speak publicly on Sunday night, a source within the team said the coaching staff views Stone’s return as “one of the biggest wins of the offseason.” Considering the volatility of the portal and the stakes of the upcoming season, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
For Stone, the decision also has implications beyond just 2025. With NFL scouts already paying close attention to his progress, this season represents a massive opportunity to elevate his draft stock. His size, technique, and motor already project well at the next level, but another year under Venables and Bates could be the final polish he needs to become a first-round lock. By choosing to return, he’s betting on his development, betting on his team, and betting on the legacy he wants to leave.
There’s also something deeply personal about Stone’s choice. Growing up in Oklahoma City, just down the road from the university, the crimson and cream have always meant more than just football. He’s spoken often about the pride he feels representing his state and his community, and that connection was never stronger than in his statement announcing his return.
“This is home,” Stone wrote in his post. “I came here to build something. I came here to win. And I’m not leaving until the job is done.”
Those words resonated immediately with Sooner Nation. Within minutes, former players, current teammates, and alumni flooded social media with messages of support. The energy around the program, already high with the move to the SEC and a strong recruiting class, reached another level entirely.
It’s rare in today’s college football landscape to see a player of Stone’s caliber pass up what many assume are greener pastures elsewhere. Yet his decision reminds everyone watching that sometimes, the grass is greenest where you water it. And in Norman, Stone has poured everything he has into the Sooners program.
For fans, the significance of this moment will linger. The Transfer Portal has brought uncertainty and constant churn to rosters around the country, and Oklahoma has not been immune. Losing a player like Stone would have been a massive blow—both in terms of talent and morale. Instead, the Sooners now get to march into the 2025 season not just with their star intact but with a renewed sense of unity and determination.
Looking ahead, the expectations will only increase. With Stone anchoring the defensive line, a loaded linebacker group returning, and young playmakers emerging in the secondary, Oklahoma’s defense has the potential to be the best it has been in years. And with the offense continuing to evolve under offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, the Sooners are quietly building a team that can not only compete in the SEC but contend for a College Football Playoff spot.
The work is far from over. The 2025 schedule will be brutal, and the road to SEC success is paved with elite quarterbacks, punishing offensive lines, and hostile environments. But if Sunday night’s news taught us anything, it’s that the Sooners are not backing down. They’re not running from the challenge. They’re embracing it—with David Stone leading the charge.
In the weeks to come, Stone will return to spring workouts, dive into the playbook, and continue setting the tone in the weight room. He’s not a man of many words, but his actions always speak volumes. And right now, those actions are shouting loud and clear: Oklahoma is not done. The best is yet to come.
Recruiting insiders have already noted that Stone’s decision may have ripple effects across the 2025 recruiting class. Several elite defensive line prospects have been considering the Sooners, and the return of a player like Stone can serve as both a recruiting tool and a message. Come to Oklahoma, and you’ll play with the best. Come to Oklahoma, and you’ll be developed by the best. Come to Oklahoma, and you’ll be part of something real.
It’s a moment worth celebrating in Norman. It’s a moment that transcends a typical offseason headline. In a time when the sport is changing at warp speed, when loyalty is often questioned and uncertainty reigns supreme, David Stone’s decision to stay rooted is a reminder that belief still matters. That commitment still matters. That finishing what you started still matters.
Oklahoma is better today than it was yesterday. Stronger. More focused. More unified. And that’s because one of its most important players chose to stay. Not for money. Not for fame. Not for accolades. But for the team. For the program. For the legacy.
David Stone is back. And with him, so is Oklahoma’s swagger.
Let the 2025 season begin.