NORMAN — Life is going to be difficult.
That’s what David Stone would tell himself if he could turn back time to last year’s spring practices, when he arrived on campus as a prized five-star recruit adjusting to being a college football player. While he ranked second on OU’s defense in sacks last spring and first during preseason camp, Stone was a bit disoriented.
“I had a big issue with (letting) my life outside of football affect my football,” Stone said. “I dominated a lot of the team setting but sometimes outside of that, I could let my body language get bad because of the stuff I had going on outside of football, whether it be my grades or things like that.
“As a player, I had to learn how to compartmentalize those things, separate the two and be able to handle the pressures of outside life with football. I’ve made the jump as a player, being able to dominate that space, whether it’s in life or football.”
Stone, reflecting on his past struggles juggling everything that comes with being a Division I athlete, can confidently say he’s taken his approach to the game — and life — to another level this spring. It started during the fall when Stone began having talks with defensive tackles coach Todd Bates that opened his eyes and allowed him to see things more clearly.
The Del City native played in all 13 games last season at defensive tackle and on special teams, totaling six tackles (one sack and two tackles for loss). He is poised to play a more significant role on a stacked defensive line this upcoming season.
“I’m moving better than ever,” Stone said. “Making those small improvements all over has been a big part of my game so far (this spring).”
Another key difference for Stone this spring? He’s up 15 to 20 pounds, which he showed when he bull-rushed Eddy Pierre Louis in a one-on-one drill during an open portion of practice Tuesday.
Throughout his career, Stone had never been fond of the weight room but he has found a new appreciation working with strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt.
“I’ve been killing it this spring; winter workouts were a fun time for me,” Stone said. “(Schmidt) was pushing me every day. My maxes went up a plate or two, that jump helped me put on this weight. When we’re running, I’m still moving good and fluidly. I love the extra weight I’ve got, I feel like I’m holding blocks better and I’m still going to rush the passer at an elite level.”
In addition to continuing to progress with his on-field development, Stone has taken the lessons he’s learned off the field to help his younger teammates adapt to the same changes he was enduring at this time last year.
Stone is proud of the leaps he’s taken — particularly placing on the SEC fall academic honor roll — while acknowledging there’s more work to be ...
