Three-star athlete RJ Stone gives Washington State second verbal commit from Valley Christian

PULLMAN – Three-star athlete RJ Stone verbally committed to the Washington State football program on Monday, giving the Cougars their second pledge from Valley Christian High School in San Jose, California.

Stone’s prep teammate, D’Angelo McKenzie, a three-star safety, committed to WSU on Oct. 24. Stone announced his own decision on Twitter Monday night.

Like McKenzie, Stone is choosing WSU despite a handful of other Pac-12 offers. Arizona State, Oregon State and Utah all offered the Valley Christian defensive end/tight end, in addition to a bevy of Mountain West schools like Fresno State, Colorado State, San Jose State, Hawaii, San Diego State and Nevada.

Stone, who took his official visit to WSU two weeks ago, was tabbed as the West Catholic Athletic League Defensive Lineman of the Year. McKenzie was named the league’s most valuable defensive back and another WSU pledge, Patrick Nunn of Junipero Serra, was tabbed as the league’s top wide receiver. All three will be in Pullman next season.

The Cougars don’t use tight ends in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, so Stone will presumably come to WSU as a defensive end. The 6-4, 215-pound high school senior is also the son of Valley Christian coach Ron Stone, a 12-year NFL veteran who went to three Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls during his stint with the Dallas Cowboys.