Stepp Healthy and Continues to Recruit

It has been a long road for 2018 Cathedral (Ind.) running back Markese Stepp, but he is finally back in action after dealing with a hamstring issue for over a year. The 6-foot, 220-pounder isn’t quite 100 percent, but if Irish Invasion was any indication, the Notre Dame commit is well on his way to getting back to his old self.

“I felt great,” Stepp told Irish Sports Daily. “I am where I want to be right now. I am still trying to get back to sophomore year health. I want to get faster and stuff too.”

Stepp not only competed in drills and 1-on-1 reps but he turned it loose on a 40-yard dash and ran a 4.5.   

“It gives me confidence, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore,” Stepp said of being able to go all out. “I can just go and play. It feels great to be out there again.”

The four-star prospect also got the chance to get coached by his future position coach Autry Denson, and Stepp was surprised at how hard the backs went on Saturday night.  

“It was intense,” stated Stepp. “The drills were great, and I feel like I got better. I will probably take some of those drills back to my high school and coach some of the guys on my team with the stuff I learned. It was all very useful.”

Irish Invasion also provided the chance for Stepp to get some work against some of the top linebackers on Notre Dame’s board.  

“The competition was great,” explained Stepp. “Going against guys like Bo Bauer and Cameron McGrone was awesome. Those guys are great players, and it was fun competing against them. If we can get Cameron…man. He’s a dog, and I want him to come here.”

It was also no secret Stepp was in South Bend to recruit. As normal, the Indianapolis native was making sure he got face time with some of the guys the staff wants the most.  

“We were after Cameron, Shayne Simon, and the quarterback Ryan Hilinski on Saturday,” Stepp stated. “I think we can get Shayne, honestly. I think we are in a good spot with him. Hopefully, we can get him to commit this weekend, but we’ll see.”

Stepp has also continued to put in work with guys that didn’t attend Irish Invasion.  

“I am working Kevin Austin, Lavonte Valentine, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Chase Cota,” said Stepp. “I think if we can get St. Brown or Cota it would be great. I am also working on Thomas Booker and Jacob Lacey even though he is a 2019 kid. We were working on Jayson Oweh Saturday too.”