This spring, Nico Iamaleava wasn’t the only high-profile player to enter the transfer portal. Many did, but Brent Venables‘ Sooners managed to do what Josh Heupel’s team couldn’t: they got their guy back. Oklahoma’s defensive weapon, David Stone, surprised everyone by entering the portal seeking more playing time, only to quickly reverse course after playing in all 13 games of his freshman season. His sudden exit raised questions, but now that he’s back, he’s reportedly thriving. Fans now wonder if NIL lured him back or if his heart was always with the Sooners.

For now, it’s hard to say, but Oklahoma clearly made some major negotiations. As insider George Stoia posted on X regarding David Stone’s portal move: “The David Stone saga was always a weird one. He has a GREAT relationship with the staff and loves Oklahoma. Glad this was resolved for everyone involved. #Sooners should have one of the best defensive lines it’s had in a long time.” Losing a 6’3, 313-pound talent like him would have been a huge blow. Stone didn’t just appear in games; with 88 snaps, 6 tackles, and one sack, he showed his potential.

Upon entering the portal, David Stone was immediately ranked the No. 1 available player. However, he’s now back on track with the Sooners thanks to their persistent efforts. David himself confirmed his return on X, stating: “Sooner Nation, after taking the necessary time & examining my options… I have removed my name from the portal & will be furthering my education & career at 🅾️U!! Sooner Born…Sooner Bred… & when I die, I’ll be sooner dead!! #BoomerSooner.” But with Gracen Halton, Damonic Williams, and Jayden Jackson also in the mix, the concern about playing time might not entirely disappear.

As George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) also noted on April 20, 2025: “The David Stone saga was always a weird one. He has a GREAT relationship with the staff and loves Oklahoma. Glad this was resolved for everyone involved. #Sooners should have one of the best defensive lines it’s had in a long time.” That’s exactly what O3’s J.D. PicKell highlighted, too.

PicKell said, “Okay, you’re wanting to play right away. I get that everybody wants to play right away. You’re seeing a guy like Jayden Jackson, who you were a high school teammate with. You’re seeing him get significant time, and okay, maybe you’re a little bit discouraged. I don’t know. But not being a instant impact guy on day one—that’s no slight to you, dude.” Interestingly, David Stone had been highly positive about his spring practices and his smooth integration into the team.

“I’ve been killing it this spring; winter workouts were a fun time for me,” and “I’m up like 15-20 pounds, moving better than ever. So those things, you know, making those small improvements, and, you know, all over. It’s been a big part of my game so far,” Stone said. This makes his portal entry even more puzzling.

Oklahoma’s hiring of Jim Nagy as general manager, coupled with Stone’s progress, reportedly emboldened him and his family to seek a renegotiated NIL deal. Sources told Sooners On SI that Stone’s relatively quiet freshman year led Oklahoma to reduce his NIL deal in December, which he accepted. Initially, OU stood firm, but after significant fan support, GM Nagy, Coach Venables, and others reconsidered. Sources indicate two meetings occurred over the weekend, and just three days after entering the portal, Stone rejoined the Sooners. Now, some fans are criticizing him for what they see as an NIL-driven reversal.

Fans are getting cold feet over David Stone’s sudden switch

NIL deals are undeniably causing chaos, transforming locker rooms into competitive bidding arenas where coaches struggle to maintain team unity as players’ focus shifts to each other’s salaries rather than the game itself. Nico Iamaleava’s reported pursuit of a $4 million deal, which ultimately fell through, further alienated fans.

David Stone’s sudden change of heart has only intensified this situation, pushing fan frustration to a boiling point, as evidenced by one fan’s concerned statement: “Resolved means huge amounts of money transferred. I hate this sport.” While NIL might be a factor, the spring transfer portal rules, limiting moves within the SEC or the same conference, could also have influenced his decision to return.

However, some fans directly questioned David Stone’s motives, with one saying, “All of you were just saying he was mad and leaving because Jackson was better and started over him. 🤣🤡” Indeed, Jayden Jackson had a statistically better freshman season with 10 solo tackles and 2 sacks compared to Stone’s 2 solo tackles and 1 sack, making playtime concerns understandable.

In the current NIL landscape, players seeking higher earnings isn’t surprising, as seen with Michigan’s Bryce Underwood reportedly leaving LSU for a $10.5 million deal. One fan commented, “He got a raise. Let’s not spin it to seem like he stayed for the love of the program 😆.”

While NIL can be beneficial, unexpected mid-season salary demands can disrupt team focus and morale. One fan emphasized this point: “Well, guess that’s a good thing, until the next guy randomly decides he needs a pay raise in between seasons. I just wish these guys just locked into getting better, kicking a– on the field when the season starts, then all this money BS would only blow up in a small window, Jan-Mar.”

Ultimately, while adding Stone back is a significant move for the Sooners, fan acceptance remains a question, with one stating, “Good ending but a bad precedent.” Stone’s saga and the NIL drama in Oklahoma? Only the 2025 season will reveal if this high-stakes gamble pays off for the Sooners.