Oklahoma Sooners make new recruiting department hire
Oklahoma Sooners make new recruiting department hire
Oklahoma Sooners make new recruiting department hireAaron Gelvin, Sooners WireSat, Jul 4, 2026·1 min read
The Oklahoma Sooners have made an addition to their recruiting and scouting teams that will start this month. OU hired Manaia Brown as a scouting coordinator in their recruiting department.
Brown was most recently the assistant director of recruiting at Fresno State. The former Nebraska and BYU defensive tackle also spent a year as the defensive line coach at Northeastern State following a stint at Garden City Community College, the alma mater of coach Brent Venables. He also has more than 10 years of coordinator experience. As a player, he was a two-time All-Mountain West selection and signed an undrafted free-agent contract with Washington in the NFL.
The Sooners begin their 2026 season at home on Friday, Sept. 4 against the UTEP Miners. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) runs onto the field with the Oklahoma flag before the game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Apr 20, 2024; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts after pressuring Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during the Oklahoma Sooners spring game at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)David Stone (0) runs drills during a Oklahoma football practice in Norman, Okla., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) tries to block a field goal attempt during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Aug 30, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts during the second half against the Temple Owls at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stands beside Kobie McKinzie (11) and David Stone (0) after a University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners spring football game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts after a tackle during the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) brings down Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates after tackling Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates beside lineman Taylor Wein (44) after tackling Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts after a safety during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) brings down Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) and Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts to Auburn Tigers running back Damari Alston (0) during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Temple Owls offensive lineman Diego Barajas (77) blocks Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images (Kyle Ross, Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images (Kyle Ross, Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) leads a tackle against Temple Owls running back Jay Ducker (20) in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images (Kyle Ross, Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)Oct 4, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Oklahoma defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) against the Alabama Crimson Tide (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) hits Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) as he throws during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)1 / 23
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) runs onto the field with the Oklahoma flag before the game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Apr 20, 2024; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts after pressuring Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during the Oklahoma Sooners spring game at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
David Stone (0) runs drills during a Oklahoma football practice in Norman, Okla., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) tries to block a field goal attempt during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Aug 30, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts during the second half against the Temple Owls at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stands beside Kobie McKinzie (11) and David Stone (0) after a University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners spring football game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts after a tackle during the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) brings down Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates after tackling Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates beside lineman Taylor Wein (44) after tackling Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts after a safety during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) brings down Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
J.D. PicKell believes Oklahoma is building a defensive powerhouse
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) and Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts to Auburn Tigers running back Damari Alston (0) during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Temple Owls offensive lineman Diego Barajas (77) blocks Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images (Kyle Ross, Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images (Kyle Ross, Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) leads a tackle against Temple Owls running back Jay Ducker (20) in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images (Kyle Ross, Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oct 4, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) reacts during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) against the Alabama Crimson Tide (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Best photos of David Stone with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) hits Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) as he throws during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions.You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.