Private school football often gets overlooked. Questions always surround the talent level and competition a recruit faces. But some ‘small school’ prospects overcome these obstacles to flourish. Clearwater Central Catholic DB Michael Stevenson is one of those prospects.
At 6-feet 175-pounds Stevenson holds 11 verbal offers including the likes of Wake Forest, West Virginia and the in-state Central Florida Knights, South Florida Bulls and Florida Atlantic University Owls.
“I’m wide open right now,” Stevenson said of his recruitment. “As the season approaches I’m pretty sure I will narrow it down and will probably decide at the beginning of football season.”
He contributed on both sides of the ball last season. He rushed for 416 yards (7-plus yards per carry) and three touchdowns while totaling 66 tackles, defending five passes and causing four turnovers.
Although he’s expected to see an increased role on the offensive side of the ball in 2012 schools are looking at him solely as a defensive back. Some want him to play cornerback, others want him to play free safety, some say he can play either.
“UCF wants me to play corner. They’re telling me corner my freshman and sophomore year and then maybe move to free safety,” Stevenson said. West Virginia, his newest offer, wants him to play free safety right away. “You never know. I’m down for either position.”
He has the ability to succeed at either position. He is good in pass coverage, good in the open field and a solid tackler. Although he doesn’t compare himself to any other athletes, Stevenson admits that he loves watching clips of Ed Reed and Sean Taylor.
“They’re both really fast and hit hard. Ed Reed is an interception guy. My ball skills are pretty good. They’re improving, that’s what coaches say,” Stevenson said.
It’s not all about football for Stevenson. He prides himself on academics. Carrying a 3.5 GPA, he recently attended camp at Duke, which was his first college camp. “It was pretty intense,” he said of the Duke camp. “It started at about 8:30 and we did some very intense drills. 110 percent every second. Coaches were hard on you which I liked.”
Additionally, Stevenson understands that no matter how good he is on the field, if he isn’t taking care of business off the field none of that matters. “If you don’t’ have good grades there ain’t no point in even going to college because they kick you out. My mother always told me I needed to get good grades.”
Stevenson plans to visit Central Florida this weekend. The Knights, and Bulls of South Florida, have showed him the most interest thus far. He says he doesn’t have any more visits or camps scheduled this offseason and is focusing on getting better.
“Right now I’m working hard every morning from 8 to 11, trying to do my part to build a championship team. I’m not focusing on personal goals next year, but I would like to have five or 10 interceptions. One per game,” he said.