New Castle High School already has a safety playing in the NFL. Tuesday, another former Red Hurricanes safety announced his intentions to make it two.
Geno Stone posted a message to his Twitter account that he was forgoing his final year of eligibility for Iowa and was declaring for the NFL draft. An all-state defensive back who had 17 career interceptions (10 as a senior) for New Castle, Stone had six interceptions over three seasons for the Hawkeyes.
Thank you Hawkeye Nation ! ?? pic.twitter.com/5fevCAa6hs
— Geno Stone (@GenoStone22) January 6, 2020
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Stone had 70 tackles (46 solo), three forced fumbles, four pass break-ups and an interception this past season.
Former New Castle teammate Malik Hooker was a first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. Hooker was an all-Big Ten honoree at Ohio State.
Geno Stone is leaving early for the NFL Draft.
— Zach Hanley (@ZachHanley2) January 7, 2020
70 tackles, INT, 3 FF, and a Sack in 2019 for the #Hawkeyes
Not the biggest, tallest, or fastest, but the dude can hit. pic.twitter.com/QXqhLVskGU
Stone, who also led New Castle to a WPIAL basketball championship, was a three-star recruit to Iowa. The highlight of his college career perhaps was a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown that pulled the Hawkeyes to within a field goal of Penn State during the fourth quarter of a loss at the Nittany Lions.
My view of Geno Stone's 24-yard interception return for a touchdown that pulled the #Hawkeyes to within 27-24 w/ 10 to play. "When I cut it back around, I saw I had more room & that's when I knew I could take it for 6." @AdamJRossow has more at @HawkeyeHQ: https://t.co/eWSYMrUSWB pic.twitter.com/oech7h2yDu
— HawkeyeHQ.com's Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) October 29, 2018
“The past 3 years of my life have been filled with nothing but great memories and friendships that will last forever,” Stone’s Twitter post read. “Since the bowl game, I have had plenty of time to think deeply about my future and weigh the pros and cons of my options. With that said, after serious discussion with my family, confidantes, and coaches (and a lot of prayers)… I have decided to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft! Without God, none of this would be possible!”
Stone had a forced fumble, pass break-up and five tackles in what would be his final game, a 49-24 Holiday Bowl win for Iowa against USC.
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