Legacy prospect happy to have Gamecocks offer
May 02, 2018
Family connection
From 1987-90, Calvin Stephens played guard and tackle at South Carolina. He was a third-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 1991 NFL Draft.
Stephens, the father of two boys, died of a heart attack in June 2010. C.J., the oldest of the two, was 9. Gabe was 6.
In March, C.J. signed to play football at Chowan University. Gabe, a freshman at Mountain Island Charter School (Mount Holly, N.C.), is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound athlete with offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Penn State, Syracuse and TCU.
The South Carolina offer
South Carolina offered in January.
“It was really exciting, just to know that I did something right, to deserve an offer from a big school like that,” Stephens said. “And just knowing that my dad went there, I could have the same opportunity he had.”
The Gamecocks have hosted him for a couple of visits, including in January, when the offer was dispensed. He returned in March for the spring game.
“My dad went there and he did good up there, so I wouldn’t mind going to the same school that my dad went to. That would be cool,” Stephens said.
South Carolina certainly has his attention.
“How family oriented they were — they didn’t let anything get between, no matter the circumstances,” Stephens said. “And their fan base, they have the most loyal fan base that I know of, whether they have a winning or losing season, the fans are loyal and they’ll stick with you.”
No need to rush
With three years of high school to go, there’s plenty of time for Stephens to move through the recruiting process. But he does know what to be on the lookout for over the next few years.
“If they have my major. If I like the coaching staff,” Stephens said. “It’s just a matter of who shows the most love. Who’s the best fit for me, as a player and person?”
He played safety, cornerback and wide receiver as a freshman.
May 02, 2018
Family connection
From 1987-90, Calvin Stephens played guard and tackle at South Carolina. He was a third-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 1991 NFL Draft.
Stephens, the father of two boys, died of a heart attack in June 2010. C.J., the oldest of the two, was 9. Gabe was 6.
In March, C.J. signed to play football at Chowan University. Gabe, a freshman at Mountain Island Charter School (Mount Holly, N.C.), is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound athlete with offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Penn State, Syracuse and TCU.
The South Carolina offer
South Carolina offered in January.
“It was really exciting, just to know that I did something right, to deserve an offer from a big school like that,” Stephens said. “And just knowing that my dad went there, I could have the same opportunity he had.”
The Gamecocks have hosted him for a couple of visits, including in January, when the offer was dispensed. He returned in March for the spring game.
“My dad went there and he did good up there, so I wouldn’t mind going to the same school that my dad went to. That would be cool,” Stephens said.
South Carolina certainly has his attention.
“How family oriented they were — they didn’t let anything get between, no matter the circumstances,” Stephens said. “And their fan base, they have the most loyal fan base that I know of, whether they have a winning or losing season, the fans are loyal and they’ll stick with you.”
No need to rush
With three years of high school to go, there’s plenty of time for Stephens to move through the recruiting process. But he does know what to be on the lookout for over the next few years.
“If they have my major. If I like the coaching staff,” Stephens said. “It’s just a matter of who shows the most love. Who’s the best fit for me, as a player and person?”
He played safety, cornerback and wide receiver as a freshman.