MSU Football: 5-Star DT David Stone Sets Commitment Date

One of the most-watched recruitment battles in the 2024 cycle has been that of 5-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive tackle David Stone.

Michigan State has been heavily involved in Stone's recruitment for over a year and a half, and we'll soon find out if the Spartans' efforts will pay dividends in a massive way. On Thursday, Stone revealed a 'Top 6' with included the Spartans alongside Oklahoma, Miami, Florida, Texas A&M and Oregon, while simultaneously setting a commitment date of Saturday, Aug. 26.

walk by faith 🙏 https://t.co/rcbMhhCGAq
— David “Stoney” Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) July 27, 2023

Oklahoma has long been perceived as a slight favorite to land Stone, who is a native of Oklahoma City. The Sooners hold the edge in "crystal ball" predictions on 247Sports, but Stone has taken numerous visits to East Lansing and Michigan State should not be overlooked as his commitment date draws near.

Stone is considered the No. 6 overall player, No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 3 player in the state of Florida, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Here's how 247's director of scouting Andrew Ivins evaluates Stone:

A disruptive force in the middle that wins with an explosive get-off and heavy hands. Transferred into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy in advance of his junior season and carved out a role right away up front for a team that finished ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps Top 25. The type of interior lineman that offers plenty of value as a pass rusher as he quickly shoots into the backfield and gets to work. Ability to cross opposing linemen and collapse pockets is without a doubt promising, but shouldn’t exactly be viewed as some one-trick pony as he also understands how to shed blocks and eat up gaps. Changes directions better than most of his peers, which isn’t surprising given his streamlined build (measured just under 6-foot-3, 270 pounds in Spring 2022). Will need to keep progressing and take to coaching, but should be viewed as a potential difference-maker at the Power Five level, especially with his length (has a near 7-foot wingspan on file) and scheme versatility (has played a variety of different techniques at the prep level). Likely will need some time before he’s ready for a significant number of snaps on Saturdays, but could work his way into the rotation sooner rather than later in obvious passing situations with his burst. NFL upside.

Michigan State currently has 12 committed prospects in its 2024 class, which is ranked No. 49 in the country and No. 13 in the Big Ten. The class is headlined by four-star River Rouge (Mich.) wide receiver Nick Marsh and four-star Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day running back Anthony Carrie. There's no over-selling what adding Stone to the class would do for the Spartans. It would be a massive victory on the trail.

Michigan State Verbal Commitments, Class of 2024

Four-star WR Nick Marsh; River Rouge High School; River Rouge, Mich.; No. 98 nationally, No. 16 Wide Receiver, No. 3 in state of Michigan
Four-star RB Anthony Carrie; Carrollwood Day High School; Tampa, Fla.; No. 278 nationally, No. 21 running back, No. 40 in state of Florida
Three-star CB Jaylen Thompson; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; No. 448 nationally, No. 37 Cornerback, No. 11 in state of Tennessee
Three-star IOL Andrew Dennis; Mt. Pleasant High School; Mount Pleasant, Mich.; No. 463 nationally, No. 28 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 8 in state of Michigan
Three-star S Reggie Powers III; Centerville High School; Dayton, Ohio; No. 518 nationally, No. 48 Safety, No. 18 in state of Ohio
Three-star CB Justin Denson; La Salle Academy; Providence, R.I.; No. 633 nationally, No. 59 Cornerback, No. 1 in state of Rhode Island
Three-star ATH Syair Torrence; Christian Brothers Academy; Syracuse, N.Y.; No. 688 nationally, No. 89 wide receiver, No. 4 in state of New York
Three-star OT Mercer Luniewski; Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Cincinnati, Ohio; No. 876 nationally, No. 64 Offensive Tackle, No. 35 in state of Ohio
Three-star CB Camren Campbell; Tampa Bay Tech; Tampa, Fla.; No. 889 nationally, No. 73 Cornerback, No. 119 in state of Florida
Three-star QB Henry Hasselbeck; Xaverian Brothers High School; Westwood, Mass.; No. 1174 nationally, No. 68 quarterback, No. 5 in state of Massachusetts
Three-star IOL Logan Bennett; St. Frances Academy; Baltimore, Mary.; No. 1282 nationally, No. 98 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 34 in state of Maryland
Three-star IOL Charlton Luniewski; Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Cincinnati, Ohio; No. 1529 nationally, No. 121 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 67 in state of Ohio

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