Former FIU punter and school record-holder still dreams of making it to the NFL

Former FIU punter Stone Wilson – who hasn’t given up on his NFL dreams -- has sold medical devices, cars and real estate.

Wilson has done marketing for a boat manufacturer and a surf shop. He has refurbished his grandmother’s cottage for use as an Air BNB, and he is currently working as a plumber, fixing water heaters and toilets.

“I’m No. 1 in No. 2,” Wilson joked.

Wilson is also No. 1 in FIU’s record book. He owns the school mark for career punting yards (8,225) and most consecutive punts without a block (199).

He also ranks third for FIU’s best single-season punting average (44.0 as a senior in 2018).

That earned Wilson – a native Floridian from Venice -- a tryout with the Dolphins in the spring of 2019.

“When I got the call that the Dolphins wanted me, it was electric,” Wilson said. “The Dolphins were my childhood team. Getting a shot with them was a dream come true.”

Unfortunately for Wilson, he couldn’t beat out Matt Haack, who had two years left on his contract.

Wilson, 28, is still waiting for his next punting opportunity.

He only practices punting twice a month, but he does kicking-based exercises every day.

“Maintaining flexibility is huge,” Wilson said.

In the meantime, Wilson is rich in happiness. He and his wife Shannon, 26, moved into their first house in August, and they also have two children: daughter Sterling, 3; and son Stokely, three months.

Wilson said that – for years -- he had an unrequited crush on Shannon, who also grew up in the Venice area. He never asked her out because if she had said no that would have devastated him.

However, in 2019, Wilson went to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a Mexican restaurant in Venice called “Mi Pueblo.”

Shannon happened to be there as well.

Wilson, backed by “liquid courage”, approached Shannon.

“I let her know she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen,” Wilson said. “Then I turned right around and walked away.”

Shannon was stunned.

“I had no idea he felt that way,” she said. “I was about to respond, but he walked away.”

Two years later, a mutual friend told Shannon that Wilson happened to be single. She contacted him, and she drove to Miami to visit him.

From there, they talked for hours, driving all the way down to Key West, and the rest is sweet family history.

Wilson, who graduated from FIU in December of 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, said punting is still on his mind.

“If I get a chance,” Wilson said, “I’d love to get back on the field.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith is the most prominent ex-FIU player in the NFL. In 2024-2025, he had the best season of his career with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.

Among other ex-FIU players in pro football:

▪ Chargers backup defensive tackle Teair Tart just finished his fifth NFL season. For his career, he has played 64 games, including 36 starts.

▪ Wide receiver Maurice Alexander and cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver III are both on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. Alexander turns 28 on Jan. 19. Oliver is 26.

▪ Former quarterback Alex McGough – who is now playing wide receiver -- was on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. McGough, 29, was Seattle’s seventh-round pick in 2018, and he has been part of two other NFL organizations – Jacksonville and Houston.

His move to receiver was surprising given how successful McGough was as a quarterback in 2023, winning MVP honors in the USFL, leading the Birmingham Stallions to the league title. He topped the league in passing touchdowns, completion percentage and passer rating.

▪ Quarterback James Morgan, who was the Jets’ fourth-round pick in 2020, has been part of five NFL organizations. Last year, he played for Montreal in the Canadian Football League.

Morgan, who turns 28 next month, is currently studying for law-school admission.