David Stone

Freshman defensive lineman David Stone during OU football newcomer availability on March 6.

 Olivia Lauter/OU Daily

Jayden Jackson didn’t make it a goal to play alongside his high school teammate David Stone in college during his recruitment process.

However, once he chose to commit to OU, the next step was to recruit Stone to play next to him on the defensive line just as the two did in high school.

“As soon as I committed, I saw the goal,” Jackson said. “I needed him to come.”

“We were bound to be brothers. It was written in stone; we were going to go to college together.”

The two constantly pushed each other at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, resulting in Stone becoming a consensus five-star and top 20 recruit nationally and Jackson being named IMG’s defensive MVP in 2023.

Jackson admires Stone for his ability to never give up on plays, citing a practice where Stone got knocked down before chasing a ball carrier 30 yards downfield to make the tackle.

“We always take care of each other whenever it comes to off the field things,” Stone said. “Even on the field, we try to look out for each other when it comes to watching film extra, studying the playbook, whatever it comes down to.”

In their early days in Norman, much of the same has occurred.

The two live together — a circumstance Jackson described as having a brother for a roommate — study together and frequently hang out off the field.

"That's my brother, man. That's my boy,” Jackson said. “I'd take a bullet for him, that's just our relationship. Nothing can take us from that, and I think it's definitely strengthened our bond through football. Learning plays together, going through drills together, we got to pick each other up."

Jayden Jackson

Freshman defensive lineman Jayden Jackson during OU football newcomer availability on March 6.

They also never miss an opportunity to get treatment, even if they feel they don’t need it, and hold each other accountable in terms of doing the little things to improve. By pushing each other, they’ve already seen other members of OU’s defensive line fall in line and have created a domino effect within the unit.

Since Jackson and Stone arrived in Norman, they have relied on experienced members of the Sooners’ defensive line, such as redshirt senior Da’Jon Terry, who Jackson touted as the “defensive line leader”, to answer their questions and help them improve.

“Me and Jayden, we're very good competitors, and we're going to always compete,” Stone said. “It challenges our upperclassmen to help us be better when it comes to learning the playbook. … I tend to ask questions a lot, and the older guys always answer to the best of their ability. And (the coaches) always make sure we’re on our p’s and q’s when it comes to the playbook.”

Both have started preparing for their freshman seasons in the SEC by gaining weight. Jackson arrived in Norman weighing 280 pounds and, with the help of frequent snacks and Chipotle, now stands at 297, while Stone started out at 275 and claims to be both the quickest and heaviest he’s ever been at over 280 pounds.

Stone has never neared the 300-pound mark and is approaching it cautiously in hopes of not affecting his quickness or overall on-field ability. Jackson, on the other hand, is looking forward to hitting that weight goal.

“Definitely 300-plus,” Jackson said of his weight goal. “Going into the SEC, you can’t be light or you’re going to get punished.”

Jackson and Stone will continue pushing each other as they suit up for the first time with the Sooners in spring camp starting Monday.

“I’m ready for the next level of football,” Stone said. “I’ve yet to put pads on, but I definitely feel like I’m ready for this experience.”

OU football newcomer Jayden Jackson addressed the media on Wednesday and discussed his relationship with David Stone.

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