A source told Sooners On SI that Stone, a junior from Del City via IMG Academy, suffered a dislocated left knee during practice and the initial fear is that he will be lost for the rest of the 2026 season. He will undergo more tests, including an MRI, on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The source said Stone was apparently working on a goal line package for the offense when the injury occured.<\/p>\n
Before the season, Stone was named a preseason All-American by several publications. He was also picked to the preseason All-SEC Coaches Second Team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stone got off to a slow start to 2026, as he logged only four tackles \u2014 none of which went for a loss \u2014 in the Sooners\u2019 games against UTEP and Michigan.<\/p>\n
But against New Mexico, the 6-foot-3, 315-pound junior showed why he was widely considered one of the nation\u2019s best defensive linemen before the season. He ended the Sooners\u2019 14-6 win over the Lobos with a career-high eight total tackles, three solo tackles, two tackles for loss and half a quarterback sack.<\/p>\n
Stone came to Oklahoma as a consensus 5-star recruit in 2024, but he wasn\u2019t a key contributor during his first college football season.<\/p>\n
As a true freshman, he registered just six total tackles despite appearing in all 13 of OU\u2019s games.<\/p>\n
Stone, however, broke out during his sophomore year. The Del City native finished 2025 with 42 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was a key piece to Oklahoma\u2019s defense that led the SEC in total defense, scoring defense and sacks.<\/p>\n
Stone is not only considered one of college football\u2019s best defensive linemen, he\u2019s also seen as a top prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft. ESPN\u2019s Jordan Reid predicted the New York Jets<\/a> to select Stone with the No. 12 overall pick in his mock draft, which he released in August.<\/p>\n With Stone out, the Sooners will need someone<\/a> to step into a starting role alongside Jayden Jackson on the interior of the defensive line. Backup defensive tackles who have seen game action so far in 2026 include Trent Wilson, Nigel Smith II, Braxton Fely, Danny Saili and Bishop Thomas.<\/p>\n Stone\u2019s injury is the latest amid an ongoing injury bug for the OU roster.<\/p>\n Linebacker Kip Lewis suffered a leg injury against Michigan, and he did not play against New Mexico. OU coach Brent Venables revealed last week that Lewis\u2019 injury is less severe than the Sooners\u2019 staff originally expected.<\/p>\n Other defensive players who missed the New Mexico game with injuries included linebacker Cole Sullivan and Michael Boganowski. Both of them got banged up in the Michigan game. <\/p>\n The offense, meanwhile, has endured multiple injuries across the offensive line and in the receiver corps as well as at running back.<\/p>\n Sign up to our free newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news.<\/p>\n
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