NORMAN David Stone let something slip during fall camp that he wasn't supposed to.While OU typically waits until the week of its season opener to announce its football team captains, the star defensive lineman revealed he is learning the ropes as one of the Sooners captains for the 2026 season.This is my first time ever being captain of any team, so I told the guys I'm grateful for the opportunity that you guys have given me, Stone said after Fridays practice.More: OU football QB John Mateer is calmer entering Year 2 as Sooners' QB1. Here's whyWhen asked if the team had picked captains, Stone nervously laughed and said, Nah. But he talked about his process stepping in the role for a minute before going silent.I know it comes with a lot of weight, so I'm trying to live up to that, Stone said.The captain title is not one head coach Brent Venables takes lightly. During Venables first three seasons at Oklahoma, he chose weekly captains to prove that leadership had to be earned throughout the season.Last year marked the first the Sooners had seven permanent captains. It appears that Oklahoma will follow that same format this season, with Stone being one of them.But the role did not come naturally to him.I honestly struggled at first, he said.Stone missed out on spring practices due to lingering injuries. It made his transition into leadership from the sidelines a steep learning curve.More: Why OU football RB Lloyd Avant is early leader for Sooners in 2026 preaseasonI'm more so someone who wants to be out front and show you guys how it's done and you guys follow suit, Stone said. But I had to learn how to be a vocal leader to the guys, and so it really challenged me from a leadership role.During fall camp, Stone is relying on his teammates for critiques.I'm trying to get feedback, he said, so I can better be that leader for the guys and push the team to be the best version of ourselves. For me it was really just learning how to adapt my style of leadership and grow as a player and a real person.In 26 games as a Sooner across the past two seasons, Stone has recorded 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.He is now motivated to make an impact beyond his individual stats in his third season.Now, this junior year, I gotta really cap it off in the right way, Stone said. For it to really be something, I have to go out front and be that example. Hopefully I leave such an impact that it lasts beyond just this team and the teams that follow.Amanda Avila is a sports intern for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea forAmanda? She can be reached at aavila@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @avilaonair. SupportAmanda's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football DL David Stone reveals he is one of Sooners' team captains for 2026