It was not much of a secret or surprise, but SMU answers QB issues Wednesday. Quarterback Preston Stone, as expected, signed his letter of intent to play for Sonny Dykes and the Mustangs. He is the younger brother of current SMU receiver Parker Stone. He is also one of the biggest high end recruits the program has signed in many years.
It has been a busy week for Stone. Last weekend he led Parish Episcopal High to its second consecutive TAPPS Division I title. He threw for 345 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Fort Worth Nolan. He also had a rushing touchdown.
At 6-2, 205 pounds, Stone is a 4-star recruit per the 247Sports Composite. He is rated as the fifth highest dual threat quarterback in the country. In media interviews earlier this year, he said SMU had been his goal for several years. His father is also a SMU alum.
Stone excels in the short to intermediate passing game. He has a good pocket presence and awareness. He has yet to show the same kind of accuracy in the long game.
Stone committed to SMU all the way back at the All-American Bowl last January and was emphatic about his announcement.
Dallas made | Committed 🐎 pic.twitter.com/kkTx0PmrOA
— Preston Stone (@_prestonstone) January 4, 2020
The Mustangs beat out Alabama, Auburn, Texas, LSU, and Penn State among others for his services. Stone had 42 offers in all. He is the only quarterback in this class for SMU. It is a position in a state of flux for SMU.
With the NCAA not using 2020 as a year of official eligibility for anyone, starting quarterback Shane Buechele could come back for a sixth year. No determination has been made at this point. Terrance Gipson entered the transfer portal in November. That made Derek Green the only real back-up.
Stone plans to be an early enrollee at SMU, putting him on campus in January. Guidance on workouts within COVID protocols for January is still a ways off. But Stone will be on campus and ready to participate in whatever are allowed.
(Photo courtesy Texasfootball.com)
