Here’s the scoop that’s shaking things up in Cape Girardeau. You know how Southeast Missouri State’s defense always prides itself on being gritty up front? The D-line is supposed to be the heartbeat of that unit, right? Last season, though, the Redhawks managed only 14 sacks as a team. And just two of those came from the D-line. Two! 

DC Ricky Coon, who’s back to coaching the D-line for the first time since 2018, made it crystal clear — that’s got to change. “We have to do a better job of rushing the passer,” he said. “We weren’t able to affect the quarterback like we needed to. Our defense goes as our defensive line goes. If our defensive line plays well, then our defense plays well.” And he’s not wrong. But now, just when they were counting on some young returnees to step up, here comes the transfer portal bombshell. 

Pete Nakos dropped the transfer portal intel on the Redhawks on April 8 on X. And this is a blow to Coach Tom Matukewicz and SEMO fans. “Southeast Missouri defensive lineman Jaylon Stone is entering the transfer portal, his agents tell @SWiltfong_ and I. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound redshirt freshman posted 35 tackles, 6 TFLs and 2 sacks in 2024. Has 3 years of eligibility remaining.” Jaylon Stone is one of their most promising big men in the trenches, and that’s a whole career’s worth of snaps left. 

A former Clarke Central standout from Athens, Georgia, Jaylon Stone was one of the most intriguing names of the Redhawks’ D-line. His senior year numbers jumped off the page — 74 tackles, 18 TFLs, 58 solo stops, and five sacks. Dude averaged nearly seven tackles a game from the D-line. As a junior, he dropped another 76 tackles, nine TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. There’s no question — he’s got motor, burst, and production. 

Jaylon Stone enrolled at SEMO in June 2023 and played in four games as a true freshman before redshirting. Even in those limited snaps, he showed flashes — eight tackles, one TCL, one pass breakup, and two QB hurries. Fast forward to this spring, he was there in the mix with teammates like Steven Lewis and Nasim Cairo. Coon even called him “a lot more consistent” and expected him to be a “big-time contributor” this year. But now, he’s looking for a new home. Maybe his phone is already buzzing. 

Who might be calling Jaylon Stone?

Don’t be surprised if some big names come sniffing around. A 295-pounder who can move and still have three years left? Let’s start at the top. Alabama is always reloading up front, especially with the portal becoming a key tool for filling gaps between recruiting classes. With a new coaching staff in place and several key losses to the NFL, Kalen DeBoer could target Jaylon Stone as a rotational depth piece who could develop into something special. He’s got that SEC frame and the upside to match. 

Also, Sherrone Moore just sent another crop of Michigan defenders to the league, and they value versatility up front. A guy like Stone, who can line at nose or shade over a guard, fits right into their mold of stout, disruptive interior defenders. He’d have time to learn from the veterans while still contributing early. Still, no official word yet on where Jaylon Stone’s leaning, but this portal moves fast. 

For SEMO, it’s a tough blow, losing Jaylon Stone, whom they were grooming to anchor their D-line for the next few seasons. For everyone else? It’s a golden opportunity to scoop up a rising star before the rest of the country catches on.

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