Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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PREP PROFILES Indianapolis Cathedral 2018 running back Markese Stepp might be just a sophomore, but he has the potential to be one of Indiana's top prospects in the coming years, and that's why he was in South Bend the weekend of Sept. 19 for an unofficial visit. Stepp was invited by Notre Dame to watch the Irish face Georgia Tech. What he got was more than just a show. "It went very good," Stepp said. "That was actually my first time there, and I really like the atmosphere. It was crazy. It was loud the whole game, and something that I had never seen be- fore." While Stepp said the fans' game-day festivities on campus were notable, what really impressed him about the trip was the time that he got to spend with the coaching staff and the players in the locker room. After the Irish beat the Yellow Jackets 30-22, Stepp said he spoke with head coach Brian Kelly, run- ning backs coach Autry Denson and junior wide receiver Will Fuller. "They gave me a lot of attention," Stepp said. "I felt like a priority. I talked to a lot of guys in the locker room and also saw Brian Kelly. Coach Denson just told me that I need to get back for some more games and asked me about how my season is going. They just want me to get familiar with Notre Dame. "I also got to talk with Will Fuller, which was cool." Indiana is the lone school that has of- fered Stepp, but he says plenty of other programs are in the picture — includ- ing Miami (Ohio), which is where his father played in college. "Purdue, Michigan and Ohio State have all invited me to games," Stepp said. "My dad just wants me to be at the best school possible." The 6-0, 205-pound back has run for 353 yards and three touchdowns this season for a Cathedral team that started 3-2. He said the plan is to return to Notre Dame later in the season and possibly camp in South Bend next sum- mer at an event like the Irish Invasion. "Coach Kelly said he really wants me to come back for more games," Stepp said. — Andrew Ivins In-State 2018 Back Gets First Look At Notre Dame MARKESE STEPP Cathedral High School Indianapolis Status: Evaluating Class: 2018 Position: Running Back Ht.: 6-0 · Wt.: 205 40-Yard Dash: 4.5 Rivals Rankings: Currently unrated "THEY GAVE ME A LOT OF ATTEN- TION. I FELT LIKE A PRIORITY." STEPP ON THE IRISH