There are many facets to Will Stone, but one undeniable truth stands out: UCF‘s new place kicker has a remarkable talent for pumping up his audience. Whether it’s with a long field goal or expertly pinning the opposing team deep in their own territory.
Throughout his career, Stone has captivated fans and teammates alike with his thrilling plays. Yet, beyond the football field, he has found an equally exhilarating passion — music.
“A couple of years ago, I really got into music, house music and I really enjoy it, so I started DJing kind of just as a side hobby, and it was really fun,” said Stone.
Recently, Stone shared his hobby with his new teammates during a team meeting, revealing another layer of his creative side. “I recently got into sound design, so making my own songs, my own house songs and EDM [electronic dance music] songs, so I made a couple of different remixes of different songs, and I put them together live, and I played them all for the team. They loved it,” Stone said.
Prior to his time in Orlando, Stone spent the past four seasons at Texas, where he excelled as a kickoff specialist, averaging 63.2 yards per kickoff on 300 attempts. However, outside of a pair of extra point kicks in 2024, the Austin native hadn’t attempted a single field goal as a Longhorn. His last competitive field goal came during his time at Regents School in 2022.
Seeking a new challenge, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Stone entered the transfer portal and it wasn’t long before he was contacted by UCF’s special teams coordinator Pete Alamar.
“I actually met him during a Texas football summer camp,” said Stone, recalling his first meeting with Alamar. “So when I got into the portal, it was like, ‘good to see you again’ kind of deal.”
Alamar was searching for a replacement for kicker Noe Ruelas, who connected on 88% (15 of 17) of his field goal attempts last season. It didn’t take long before the 65-year-old coach zeroed in on Stone.
Special teams coordinator Pete Alamar watches his players during UCF spring football practice, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
“He’s played in big games,” said Alamar. “He had two attempts as a place kicker, both of them were extra points in the [College Football Playoff] semifinal against Ohio State a couple of years ago. He’s been a kickoff guy for four years [at Texas], so he’s got great leg strength and really good leg pop. He’s a guy who’s true to the craft.”
Stone, meanwhile, was excited about his next challenge.
“I had a great four years at Texas and I’m super thankful for everything I did there,” said Stone. “But I’m just ready to move on to this opportunity and ready to work with Coach Alamar and achieve some goals that I’ve been working on for a long time.”
While he was sold on working with Alamar and special teams quality control coach Geron Hargon, Stone also connected with head coach Scott Frost.
“Coach Frost is also a huge reason that I came here,” Stone said. “I connected with him on so many levels other than just football, which is something that I really valued in having as a head coach, knowing they care about you more than just a football player, but as a person.”
Stone will compete with redshirt freshman kicker Noah McGough, who spent last season as the backup to Ruelas for the starting job. Alamar has made it abundantly clear to his players that nothing is guaranteed.
“We always say this to the guys that we compete for all positions. So nothing’s handed to you just because you’re the senior from Texas over the freshmen,” said Alamar. “We don’t have labels in our room. Freshman, senior, junior, walk-on guy getting a ton of Rev money, none of that counts. What counts is that they can get it done between the lines. That’s why no jobs are won in spring; you win your job in fall camp.”
That’s fine with Stone.
“I don’t think I’ve proven anything yet. To be honest with you, it’s all out there. It’s all out there for me to go get and it’s all out there for me to prove right now,” he said.
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.