Notre Dame Recruiting: ’18 RB Markese Stepp Commits!

The 2016 Irish Invasion has produced three commitments for Notre Dame this weekend with the latest one coming for the class of 2018 in the from of 4-star running back and Hoosier state native Markese Stepp.

Stepp was on hand for the Irish Invasion this weekend although he was unable to participate due to injury.  He originally picked up his offer from Notre Dame back in February, however, and has been on campus several times since.

As of now Stepp ranks as the #12 running back in the class of 2018 and the #2 overall prospect in the state of Indiana according to 247 Sports.  The reason for that high ranking is Stepp’s natural running instincts combined with exceptional size for a high school sophomore.  Stepp is already checking in at 6’0″, 205 lbs.

As a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic in 2015 Stepp racked up nearly 1,300 yards on 155 carries while scoring 17 touchdowns.  Those numbers are impressive for any prep runner, let alone a sophomore.  Stepp isn’t putting this numbers up by simply running past the competition – although he does have a 4.42 40 yard dash.  As a sophomore he is already displaying the vision and feel for the running back position that can’t necessarily be taught.

Stepp is high school teams with class of 2017 Notre Dame line backer commitment Peter Werner.

Recruiting rankings are usually a crap shot.  Recruiting rankings two years out are about as accurate as predicting the weather a month in advance.  That said, landing a running back this far with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin is a huge get for Notre Dame.  With the talent Notre Dame has built at the position the Irish could afford to be a bit choosey so it’s clear that Stepp was high up on Notre Dame’s list.

Stepp joins Phil Jurkovec whom some consider the best quarterback in the class of 2018 as members of Notre Dame’s class of 2018 giving the Irish one hell of an early jump on next year’s recruiting class.

Notre Dame does not currently have any running backs committed to the class of 2017, but is said to be in strong position with several top prospects – especially CJ Holmes – after the Irish Invasion.

With Stepp’s commitment, Notre Dame has now picked up three commitments this weekend at the Irish Invasion.  On Friday strong side defensive end Jonathon MacCollister joined the class of 2017 with wide receiver and fellow Floridian Jordan Pouncey joining him on Saturday.