Oklahoma Sooners get good news on continuing strong NFL pipeline based on early 2027 NFL Draft approach from Dane Brugler

Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone’s hype train for the 2027 NFL Draft has left the station, and it won’t slow down anytime soon.

AJ Schulte — College Football Trending News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates a play in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates a play in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Oklahoma Sooners boasted their strongest NFL Draft class in years in the 2026 NFL Draft. Just a year after having two players drafted, the Sooners boasted seven total selections throughout the draft. That total is their most since the 2022 NFL Draft.

That pipeline projects to continue heading into next season, and it starts with potential first-round pick David Stone. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is one of the top (if not the top) NFL Draft analysts in the media space. Recently, Brugler released his first way-too-early mock draft for the 2027 draft, and Stone’s name cracked the list.

David Stone’s NFL draft buzz will only continue from here

Brugler didn’t say much on Stone, but he did say Stone “consistently jumped off the film” despite the Sooners relying on a heavy rotation at defensive tackle. In his mock, Brugler sent Stone to the Buffalo Bills at No. 31 overall.

I’m here to tell you he’ll go much higher.

I have it on good authority that Stone is viewed as at least a top-five underclassman in next year’s NFL Draft. Every NFL team wants to add one of the most dominant forces in college football. Stone’s production doesn’t leap off the page because of Oklahoma’s rotation and defensive structure, but the traits sure do.

Stone is as dynamic a pass rush threat as there is among any college defensive tackles. He’s explosive off the ball and brings plenty of power, giving him multiple ways he can threaten opposing blockers as a rusher.

He’s also a strong run defender as well, using his tools to shoot gaps and frequently stuff rushers for a loss. Despite the heavy rotation, Stone was second on the team in run stuffs last year, behind just linebacker Kip Lewis. Additionally, his 13% run stop rate was only second to Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald (13.8%) last season among all power-four defensive tackles.

The scariest part is that Stone still has room to grow. Given his youth, traits, and Oklahoma’s tremendous success developing defensive linemen, I have a feeling Stone will go much earlier than 31st overall come next April.

Related Articles