Most people now know the inspirational story of Michael Oher. It’s been well documented in both a book and more recently a movie, ‘The Blindside,’ which is out right now in theaters and drawing rave reviews.
A homeless kid blessed with football-player size, Oher was taken in and nurtured by a Good Samaritan-esque family. Oher went on to star at Ole Miss and is now playing for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
Hollywood might want to make a room for a sequel of sorts.
James Stone, who, like Oher, plays left tackle, is currently a senior at Maplewood High School in Nashville, Tenn. Stone lost his mother to cancer when he was in the sixth grade. His father, according to Stone’s high school football coach Ralph Thompson, has ‘never been around.’
“I don’t know his story,” Thompson said Friday of Stone’s dad. “I just know he’s not in the picture.”
When Stone lost the one parent he did have in his life, it was his mom’s two sisters who took the youngster in and raised him.
“They’ve done a heckuva job,” Thompson said of Stone’s aunts.
Still, for Stone, growing up without a mom and dad has no doubt been both difficult and painful. He rarely speaks of what he’s been through, however.
“James is a to-himself type person,” Thompson said. “He only lets out what he wants people to know about him.”
Rather than wallow in self-pity, Stone, with the guidance of his aunts, has made himself a success both on and off the field. In fact, Stone has done so well in the classroom that he takes time to tutor both teammates as well as other students who find themselves struggling academically.
“He provides a different perspective than what the teachers are providing,” Thompson said of Stone’s tutoring skills. “It just shows what type of person he really is. Oftentimes, a person his age will take a fend-for-myself type attitude. He’s exactly the opposite.”
On the field, the 6-foot-4, 295-pounder has developed into a coveted left tackle, a natural position for him considering the fact he’s left-handed. Pass blocking, Thompson said, is Stone’s specialty.
He gave up a sack in the second game of his sophomore season. He hasn't given up one since, having just completed his senior season.
“College recruiters talk about how well he bends,” Thompson said of the Under Armour All-American. “He has amazing feet for a player of his size, and the fact he’s played basketball has helped him as well. He’s got big, long arms -- an 82-inch wingspan -- and he’s got great punch at the point of attack.”
The fact that Stone, the No. 9-ranked offensive tackle prospect in the country according to ESPN, is so coachable is another reason college coaches are high on him. Thompson describes this year’s Class AA Mr. Football as extremely humble, soft-spoken and a coach’s dream.
“He has a very good understanding of the game,” the coach said, “and he’s one of those players you don’t have to tell the same thing to twice. He’s always doing the right thing, and he has a great work ethic.”
Stone, who’s being heavily recruited by some big-time programs, has yet to make up his mind where he’ll play college ball, but Alabama appears to be high on his list. Tide head coach Nick Saban traveled to Nashville Wednesday to visit with Stone and his aunts.
“It went well,” Thompson said of Saban’s visit. “James is thoroughly impressed with ...
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