Kentucky set to host DL transfer for official visit

Photo of Kentucky football helmets by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio — Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky is looking to add some defensive line depth to the 2025 roster through the portal.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Southeast Missouri State transfer Jaylon Stone has scheduled official visits to Kentucky and Illinois. Clocking in a 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, Stone spent the first two seasons of his college career with the Redhawks, redshirting his true freshman campaign in 2023. The Georgia native appeared in 12 games as a redshirt freshman this past season, recording 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.

Stone, who put his name into the portal on April 8, will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next stop. He’s announced offers from the likes of Kentucky, Illinois, Wake Forest, Miami (OH), and North Texas since going into the portal. At this time, a date for his OV to Lexington has not been revealed.

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

Southeast Missouri defensive lineman Jaylon Stone has official visits scheduled to Kentucky and Illinois, his agents tell @SWiltfong_ and I.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound redshirt freshman posted 35 tackles, 6 TFLs and 2 sacks in 2024. https://t.co/P8JI3j8FS2 pic.twitter.com/ymXpdJxttB
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 17, 2025

Coming out of Clarke Central (GA) High School in Athens, Stone recorded 74 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 58 solo stops, and five sacks as a senior. He chose Southeast Missouri State over offers from Charlotte, Alcorn State, Alabama State, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech, and East Tennessee. Stone appeared in four games as a true freshman with SEMO, posting eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries.

Going into year two, Stone dropped some weight, going from 305 pounds in 2023 to just under 290 in 2024. He played over 300 snaps as a redshirt freshman this past season, registering a PFF run defense grade of 88.6, the third-best mark among FCS interior defenders.