Florida four-star DE Dylan Stephenson confirms one official, Auburn impresses
As we near the month of June, with each day the heat along the recruiting trail turns up a couple notches. Class of 2024 players are getting more intent on schools of interest trying to arrange up to five official visits. Down in Miami, Columbus four-star defensive end Dylan Stephenson (6-4, 235) is still open to the process, but has one confirmed official with a small list of current contenders to fill that travel schedule.
Holding 30 offers, the strongside defensive end has his fair share of teams hoping to be on his list of favorites.
“The teams reaching out the most are Miami, Louisville, Florida State, Auburn, Stanford, Florida, Georgia Tech, Pitt, and Georgia,” Stephenson said.
The South Florida talent likes to keep his cards close to his chest, but couldn’t hold back after a recent visit to Auburn.
“It was amazing,” Stephenson shared. “I keep it stoic, but it was a really good visit. I had a great time.”
More details to the visit were given, “The entire experience was great. My itinerary, I was there for two days; on one day I was seeing the area and the other day was a visit. It felt real. Listening to coach Hugh Freeze talk, I enjoyed listening to that and watching them practice.”
Before the paid for visits begin, there are still some unofficial trips coming up.
“I can only confirm one, but I have two more that might be happening,” Stephenson shared. “I am going to Stanford April 7-8, and I will most likely be visiting Louisville and Georgia as well.”
Stephenson broke down his interest in the three programs ahead of the potential visits.
THE BREAKDOWN
Stanford: “A couple of my teammates are committed to Stanford. With the new staff, their defensive coordinator, Bobby April, has a history of doing great things. He has defensive ends going into the draft. Education is important to me, that is a factor with Stanford.”
Louisville: “With Louisville, it is the same with the new staff. I have been up there twice already, I had great times with the old staff. I want to see if anything has changed and meet everyone.”
Georgia: “I have been in communication with Georgia for over a year now. They have the same message for me, I am a priority for them. I haven’t been there for a year, I want to continue to work on my connection with them. I am getting to that point on dialing down on a few schools I will deciding from.”
The messaging from one school has made an impact locking in an official visit.
“I haven’t really confirmed many so far,” Stephenson said. “The one confirmed is Florida State. I have a couple of in mind I might take officials to.”
Stephenson shared how the Seminoles earned an official visit, “They were the first school to offer me, and they’ve had a connection with me throughout my high school career. They are always showing great love, how they care about me, and how I would fit in there. I have been there four or five times; it is always great. They have great people over there.”
Asked which schools are contenders for his other paid for trips, Stephenson replied, “Miami, Auburn, Georgia, Stanford, Pitt and Florida possibly. I really don’t know. That is a list that I will have to narrow down.”