Wide receivers coach Justin Stepp arrives in South Carolina with a reputation as a strong recruiter. Back in his home state, Stepp is now in a region he knows like the back of his hand. Before he could get back on the road and come face to face with recruits, parents and coaches, he gave a plan of what he is looking for in a recruit.
“Number one, do they love football?” Stepp asked rhetorically at his introductory press conference. “When you start recruiting these guys, regardless of position, do they love the game? Everyone has the same number of hours per day. Everyone has 20-hour weeks and eight-hour practice, but what do you do outside of mandatory hours that will make you better than anyone else? My number one question I have for high school coaches before I offer is: how much does the guy work out of what you require him to do?
“For me, it’s about building a relationship. I think you can only go as far as your relationship goes. If you have this relationship with that child and there is genuine trust between you and the player, it obviously helps. “
“In this championship, does he manage to escape press coverage? Can it create separation at the top of the route? Can he run? You don’t necessarily have to be a blazer or the fastest guy on the team, but if you can create separation and understand football, it will help you to open up too. The first thing for me is that you don’t have to be totally polite, but you have to love football. If you don’t love at this level, you will be exposed. “
Stepp is thrilled to return home to train at Carolina Stepp impressed by updates to South Carolina facilities
Below is more information from Stepp’s first question and answer session with local media in Columbia. He expands recruitment, heads to the WR room he’s inheriting, talks about his new co-workers and reflects on some of his favorite Gamecocks memories. IIf you are accessing this Proving Grounds Plan message board story, click on the link below to read the full article.