Interview: Nation’s 2018 No. 1 Safety Steve Stephens Updates Recruiting and Upcoming Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Featured Photo: Raymond Joyce
Twitter: @RJPSports
It seems that since Steve Stephens stepped foot on the gridiron he has been among the best of the best in his class quickly rising to four-star status as a safety. The recognition of Stephens’ abilities did not level him off accepting what he had achieved but pushed him even further with results in the stat sheet, in offers, and his new Scout ranking as the No. 1 safety in the nation.
Stephens was a difference maker for Edison High School during his sophomore season putting an end to 48 plays with two passes defended and one pick. The 6-0, 187 pound, talent upped his game during the 2016 schedule tallying 87 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. The respect earned for Stephens by opposing coaches added two more honors to his growing list – All-Conference and All-State.
The Fresno area product had nine offers by the end of his junior regular season but has now pushed his scholarship offer total to 16 thanks to his hard work and dedication to the game. The teams to offer includes USC, UCLA, LSU, Cal, San Jose State, Arizona State, Eastern Washington, UNLV, Fresno State, Washington State, Nevada, Boise State, Nebraska, Oregon, and Oklahoma. Mixed in between 7v7 tournaments and All-American camps, Stephens is filling his off-season with unofficial visits starting his own spring evaluation period getting a better feel for his best fit at the next level.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Stephens for a one-on-one interview covering his off-season workouts and recruiting process gaining insight on trips already taken and his upcoming visit schedule.
Interview
Steve, seems like you have been all over the place this spring. Which camps have you attended so far?
“I have been to the Under Armour All-American camp and Los Angeles Nike Opening Regional.”
How have the camps gone?
“The camps have gone really well. I have done well. I was invited to the Under Armour All-American Game.”
Did you commit to play in the UA All-American Game?
“Yes.”
Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
That’s a big accomplishment. Are you already getting excited about playing in that big showcase game?
“Yes. I’m really excited to go out there and play with some good competition and look good doing it.”
What camps do you have coming up?
“The Nike Opening Regionals in Oakland.”
Are you playing 7v7 ball?
“Yes, sir.”
With which team?
“DB Guru.”
How is that going?
“It is going really well. We’ve been to some semifinals but end up having a mishap in each game coming up short.”
How is 7v7 action helping you further develop your craft?
“It is helping a lot. It is helping with man coverage and I’m playing some receiver as well getting my hands right. It is really helping my coverage and helping me reading routes.”
Which parts of your game are you focused on improving this spring and summer?
“Getting bigger, stronger, faster, working on my hips, and getting my weight up.”
What is your weight gain goal?
“I want to be at 190 going into the season.”
What types of workouts are you doing to ensure a standout season in 2017?
“I’m doing resistance training, running on hills, and lifting weights.”
Let’s switch over to recruiting. Which visits have you taken so far this spring?
“I have taken unofficial visits to Stanford and USC.”
How did the Stanford visit go?
“It was fun. There were not too many recruits there so I got some good one-on-one time with their defensive backs coach, Coach (Duane) Akina, and their defensive coordinator, Coach (Lance) Anderson. I also got to speak with some of the professors at Stanford.”
How did the USC visit go?
“It was fun. I got some good time in with Coach Clay Helton (head coach). I enjoy my time when I am out there.”
Do you have any upcoming visits planned?
“I’m not 100 percent sure just yet where all I might be going. I’m looking at Oregon, Cal, Boise State, Nebraska for their spring game, and UCLA. I’m not too sure after that. The possibilities of my visits are not my top schools. I’m just going out there to learn more.”
How many offers do you have now?
“Sixteen.”
Which schools were the latest to offer you?
“Nevada and Boise State.”
Are there any schools pushing harder than the rest or are in more regular contact with you above the others?
“They are all pretty much the same right now. Coach (Keith) Heyward at Oregon, Coach (Demetrice) Martin (defensive backs coach) at UCLA, and Coach (Gerald) Alexander (defensive backs coach) from Cal are in regular contact with me. But I am wide open with my recruiting. I am open to any schools wanting to come through.”
Speaking of, which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?
“Utah – I’m getting a lot of mail from them. Washington has been sending mail for a long time and Notre Dame too.”
Steve, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming 7v7 tournaments and visits.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credits: Raymond Joyce; Steve Stephens at the Under Armour All-American Camp.
Photo credit: Stephens family; Steve Stephens earns Under Armour All-American Game invite.