DL David Stone Labels Gators to be Recruiting Him Hardest, Planning Visit

Elite 2024 defensive lineman David Stone Jr. labels Florida as a team currently recruiting him the hardest. He is a planning a spring visit to Gainesville.

Photo: David Stone Jr.; Credit: Zach Goodall

Several top programs are vying for the nation's top defensive line prospect David Stone Jr.'s services this spring, and the five-star has intentionally granted each of them the opportunity to win over his heart.

Florida earned that opportunity even before an offer was extended, as Stone made multiple trips to Gainesville last spring with his IMG Academy teammates.

In July, he spoke with All Gators about the experience during UA Next's Future 50.

"Oh, man, they're great. I'm not gonna lie," Stone said. "So, it's more just about me getting to meet the rest of the coaching staff as well, and then catching a few games. I went to a practice or two, I really did enjoy it there when I went."

Since then, the Gators have remained high on his radar upon offering the talented 6-foot-4 1/2, 283-pound defensive lineman on Sept. 1. Currently, Florida sits alongside in-state foe Miami as the teams recruiting him the hardest in his eyes.

"The hardest? That's a good question," Stone said to FanNation Sports Illustrated's Brian Smith at IMG's annual pro day on Thursday. "Because, I mean, there's a lot of schools that text me like pretty much every day. But it's a matter of me just responding."

After the season, the IMG Academy prospect mentally cleaned himself from the recruiting and football process, neglecting responses to the numerous coaches contacting him regularly.

He recently began picking up the phone again, with Florida's Sean Spencer and Jamar Chaney appearing consistently on his lock screen notifications.

"I mean, after the season, for like two months straight, I wasn't responding to no one. I just had to focus on mental health after the season, things like that. But, I'll say probably Florida or Miami. There's a lot of schools I could say, but it's just a matter of just me feeling the love."

His answer shows the impact the proximity of IMG Academy to Florida schools can have on recruiting top-tier talent.

Both Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal are benefitting from that.

Stone is expected to visit UF this spring unofficially, embarking on a nationwide tour. The trip includes stops at Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Miami, and Florida, among others.

He notably expressed interest in traveling to Baton Rouge to take a closer look at LSU.

There is no set date for his trek to Gainesville yet; however, when it does come, it could serve as a crucial moment in the Gators' efforts to secure his talents.

That will be crucial as Florida will have to out-duel  Oklahoma and Michigan State — the current favorites for his pledge — down the stretch of his recruitment.

He looks to take his official visits this summer and announce his commitment before the 2023 high school season starts in August.

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