Interview: 4-Star Edison 2018 FS Steve Stephens Playing his way into one of California’s Best

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A good safety at any level needs to be a jack of all trades on defense capable of covering deep, playing man to man, and coming downhill to support the run. Edison High School rising star Steve Stephens has been proving himself worthy of being one of the best over the past two seasons with a lot of upside left to his game.

Stephens ended his sophomore season with 48 tackles in eight games played coming up with a forced fumble and an interception. Complete 2016 season stats on Stephens have not come out yet but the junior already has three picks and two forced fumbles. His tough play in the secondary has helped the Tigers young team get hot at the right time winning four of their last five games of the season making the playoffs after topping Bullard 21-7 on Friday night.

College coaches have rushed to the Fresno area to see Stephens play. The 6-0, 180 pound, talent has nine scholarship offers on the table but national interest is starting to grow beyond the regional spotlight. USC, Cal, San Jose State, Arizona State, Eastern Washington, UNLV, Fresno State, and Washington State have all offered. A big one has come from Oklahoma showing teams outside the Pac-12 and Mountain West are all about his playmaking abilities.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Stephens to get an update on his season and a rundown on his recruiting process.

*Interview conducted before the Tigers beat Bullard 21-7 on Friday night

Interview

Steve, the Tigers got a big win on Friday beating Madera South 42-22. How did that game go for you?

“For me, it went well. I covered well. I came down for some tackles. That was it for that game.”

The Tigers are on a roll winning three of their last four. What has changed for you guys in the back half of your season?

“What changed, we have gone harder in practice. We are going with the formula. Attitude, attack, alignment, and assignment.”

How has the season gone for you overall this year?

“For me, it is going real good. I’m playing better than last year. I’m making more plays and tackles. I’m getting involved in more plays.”

What areas of your game have improved?

“I’d say reading plays fasters, reading my keys better, and getting to receivers faster.”

What parts of your game are constantly working to improve upon?

“Technique and getting bigger, stronger, and faster.”

Is there a player at the next level you watch to learn more about the game?

“I’d say Charles Woodson (retired). I like how he flew around to the ball. Kam Chancellor (Seahawks), his reads and reaction to the ball are what I like about his game.”

You have nine offers on the table, which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“UCLA, definitely. I get a lot of letters from Washington and Purdue. A lot of colleges send letters but UCLA is coming hard.”

Which schools that have offered are in more contact with you than the others?

“Oklahoma, they call a lot. Washington State calls a lot sends mail. Cal and ASU are in touch with me on Twitter and they send mail. USC is coming hard too. They send me mail as well.”

Have you made any game day visits this season?

“Yes, sir. I went to USC for the Utah State game and to Cal for the Texas game.”

How did the USC visit go?

“It went great. When I came up they knew who I was. They fed me, we went on the field for the pre-game, and went into locker room after the game.”

How did the Cal visit go?

“Cal was real fun. We went on the field, watched them run out of the tunnel, they fed me, and I talked to coaches and players. Coach (John) Lovett (cornerbacks coach) likes me a lot.”

Do you have any other visits planned?

“I think I will go to another Cal and USC game if possible. I’m going to try to go to the Cal game on Saturday.”

Last question, what is your overall GPA?

“My GPA is in between a 3.3 to 3.5 this year. I had a 3.8 GPA last year.”

Steve, thanks for your time today and good luck in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Stephens family; Steve Stephens (left) at Cal for Texas game with No. 44 Zeandae Johnson (Fresno).

Photo credit: Stephens family; Steve Stephens at USC.