Power Hour Recap: Markese Stepp Interview

Written by Alec Swain

On this week’s Power Hour Mike Frank was joined by one of Notre Dame’s most coveted commits, Markese Stepp. Stepp has been a crucial part in building the 2018 class and has been a massive asset to the coaching staff. However, with people so focused on who he is recruiting it is easy to forget how insanely talented he is himself.

Stepp plays for Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and is one of the best targets in the state of Indiana. Being from the state of Indiana, Notre Dame has always been a school that Stepp had his eye on, and he talked about the emotions he felt when he first got his Notre Dame offer.

“I remember the exact time and exactly where I was,” Stepp explained. “I was actually working out at a local gym right outside my neighborhood, and my coach texted me. He was like ‘“call coach Elston.’” So I call coach Elston, and they offered me a scholarship. I got a little teary-eyed, I cant lie to you. It was a really good moment.”

Stepp has accomplished a lot to become a future division one running back. Stepp has been successful in his young career, but it was not without adversity. Stepp missed almost his entire junior campaign with a hampering injury which he is finally recovering from.

“It was tough, of course, going down with an injury,” Stepp admitted. “Couldn't play with your best friends that you've been growing up with on Friday nights. Just watching them in wins and losses, it just hurts to be out there. I just have to take care of it now, so it doesn't hurt me down the road. It’s healthy now. Its been a long process. I’m finally happy I’m back to where I left off and better.”

Now, Stepp is back and fully healthy he is ready to take on his Senior season. Stepp was quick to compliment the talent that is around him at Cathedral as he mentioned many of his other teammates with division one offers and how he thought more were going to receive offers after the season.

Stepp comes from an athletic family and he was able to talk about where his competitive nature is generated from as both his father and brother played football. Stepp was quick to acknowledge that even though they had a typical brotherly bond that he and his brother's relationship was important to him.

Even though he is committed to Notre Dame, Stepp continues to be recognized by other top programs. Stepp stayed true to the Irish through the 2016 season, but it was not easy.

“Its been hard,” stated Stepp. “Especially, when Notre Dame was going through a tough season, but you got to always remember why you committed to a place.”

Not only did Stepp stay committed to the Irish, but he made it his mission to recruit the nation’s top talent to South Bend. Stepp wants to bring the best of the best with him to Notre Dame and is not shy about competing. Stepp even has a list of the guys he is personally going after for the Irish.

“Kevin Austin, Keaontay Ingram, Aeneas Hawkins, Dallas Gant and Amon-ra St. Brown,” listed Stepp. “Another kid that is local is DJ Johnson. I think we have a really good chance at Kevin Austin, DJ Johnson and I think Gant, but for him and Aeneas, I think it is going to be hard to beat Ohio State. I think if we keep going, pushing we can get them. Oh, and then Houston Griffith.”

Stepp, being a running back, most would assume would be willing to recruit any position, but his own. However, that is not the case.

“Honestly, I do not really care if there is another running back they are after or not,” Stepp included. “If the staff wants that then I am going to go ahead and help them find the best running back so we can complement each other.”

Keaontay Ingram is the running back Stepp, and the Irish staff has as the number one target on the board. Stepp is putting in the work to try and pull the standout away from the favored Texas programs. It will not be easy, but Stepp seems to think once Keaontay visits it will be a game-changer.

Markese Stepp is obviously from the state of Indiana, but with the amount of effort he has put in to bolster this recruiting class and the program, it is easy to wonder what Stepp loves so much about Notre Dame.

“It is just the spiritual feel,” said Stepp. “I do not know. It just feels like home.”

Now, with the new NCAA rules, Stepp will have a chance to sign his letter of intent earlier than previous years. When Mike asked Stepp about his intentions, he was clear that he had not put any thought into signing early. However, even though he did not have an answer to what he would do personally, he did give his take on the early signing day.

“I think it is a great opportunity for athletes to commit and get settled in with the workouts they give the commits that have signed and it gives them a head start even if they are not enrolling early,” explained Stepp.

Markese Stepp is a player to look out for in the future for the Irish. No matter who the Irish are playing it seems like Stepp will not be phased as he closed the interview with a strong statement.

“I don't know. Everybody that lines up across from me. Just give them the business,” proclaimed Stepp.