Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/638727
2016 RECRUITING ISSUE the coaches, the field and the guys up there," Stepherson said. "I just loved everything about it. When I saw it, I just grabbed ahold of it. "I thought it was perfect. I just went out there and did the best I could to impress the coaches and show what I could do. Everything was put together and set up well. It went exactly the way I wanted it." After living in Jacksonville for his entire life, Stepherson had an affinity for the Florida Gators. The wideout had the support of his family to pledge to the Irish, though, and coupled with Notre Dame's environment and qual- ity academics, he knew where his heart lied. "Having a Gator offer made it re- ally hard for me to go away from those guys," Stepherson said. "I just saw that wasn't the best opportunity for my fu- ture. "My parents already liked the school over my other offers anyway." Stepherson, one of the program's five early enrollees, said he had planned to start college early since his freshman year of high school. In South Bend, he hopes the extra time will give him a jumpstart to help the program as a pass catcher. "The coaches say I'm like [former Irish star] Will Fuller," Stepherson said. "I'm more versatile they say — I can play both inside and outside." Comparisons to Fuller may draw early unfair expectations for the teen- ager. But if Stepherson stays the course and continues working toward his goals — like he has since ninth grade — anything is possible. ✦