2021 CB Gabe Stephens Hoping For Notre Dame Offer Following Visit
Class of 2021 cornerback Gabe Stephens got his first look at Notre Dame this weekend.
The Mt. Holly (N.C.) Mountain Island product said it was a long journey to South Bend, but it was one he was glad to make.
“It was pretty good,” Stephens said. “It was an 11 hour drive to get up there, but we got a good welcoming in. It was worth it.”
After spending some time on campus, Stephens said the history surrounding the university and the football program caught his attention in a big way.
“The school is very old, so I liked the way the school looked and how historical it was,” Stephens said. “Also, the graduation rate. They have one of the highest African American graduation rates.”
On Saturday morning, Stephens got to sit in on a Notre Dame spring practice.
Stephens said he was a big fan of the way the team went about its business.
“I saw how they coach up close and I heard what they were saying,” Stephens explained. “I really understood everything they were talking about. They simplify it down so it’s easy to understand.”
After practice, Stephens got to speak with cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght.
The North Carolina talent said he’s excited to build a relationship with Lyght going forward.
"It was good,” Stephens said of his conversation with Lyght. “He showed us some coverages and stuff like that.”
Stephens holds a strong offer list going into his junior year, including North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, TCU, West Viriginia and others.
After visiting campus, Stephens said Notre Dame entering the mix would be a game changer for him.
“It would really change my mind in my recruitment,” Stephens said. “It would really impact my recruitment. They would be high on my list, like top three.”
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