Markese Stepp, Western Kentucky Football News: Draft Scout Player News

07/11/21 - RB Markese Stepp, rSr/2024, Western Kentucky

With the fact that if healthy, the 6-foot, 235-pound transfer from USC is a leading candidate to open the season as a starter. His health status, however, is also part of what makes him intriguing. He missed all but two practices this past spring because of a foot surgery that Nebraska's team doctors identified the need for. However, it's expected that he'll be ready for preseason practices starting late this month."I think I got a solid evaluation (this spring) on everybody except for Markese, who only practiced twice. But even in those two practices, and they were in helmets, I saw some good stuff," Husker running backs coach Ryan Held told the Journal Star last month during a Big Red Blitz stop in Broken Bow.

Seeing "good stuff" from Stepp was expected upon his arrival on campus in January. After all, he spent three seasons at USC - redshirting in 2018 before seeing consistent playing time the past two years. In 2020, he rushed 45 times for 165 yards and tied for the team lead with three rushing touchdowns. The Trojans' overall production in the run game dropped to 3.2 yards per carry from 3.9 in 2019 under second-year offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who runs the Air Raid offense that prioritizes passing. Stepp was part of a three-man rotation at running back that split carries roughly evenly, and each averaged between 3.7 yards per carry (Stepp) and 4.6. - Lincoln Journal Star

rSr/2024