Jaylon Stone enters the portal with three years left while eyeing visits to Kentucky and Illinois.
Southeast Missouri State defensive lineman Jaylon Stone has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, becoming a name to watch as Power Five programs look to bolster their defensive fronts.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound redshirt freshman announced his entry into the portal on Thursday, following a strong 2024 season that has quickly drawn significant interest.
Stone is set to visit both the Kentucky Wildcats and Illinois in the coming days, according to his agents via reports from 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Chris Hummer and others. With three years of eligibility remaining, he presents a valuable long-term addition for any team in need of interior defensive line depth — especially programs seeking immediate contributors.
In 2024, Stone tallied 35 total tackles, two sacks, and six tackles for loss while playing for the Redhawks in the FCS ranks. His disruptive ability in the trenches didn’t go unnoticed by advanced analytics either — Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him as having the third-best run defense grade among all FCS interior defensive linemen last season. That combination of productivity and potential is exactly what has caught the attention of high-major programs like Kentucky and Illinois.
Stone’s size and athleticism allow him to play multiple spots along the defensive front, offering both versatility and scheme fit for a range of systems. With Kentucky continuing to retool its defensive line following departures and injuries, Stone could find a path to playing time early should he choose the Wildcats.
His upcoming visits will be closely monitored as Stone’s stock continues to rise during this portal cycle.