Class of 2024 Quick Q&A: Florida offers in-state four-star

(Photo courtesy Dylan Stephenson)

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• 2023 Signing Class Superlatives
• Regular Season Report Card: Napier has a Muschamp-like first season
• Evaluating the Class of 2022

Back in early January Miami (Fla.) Columbus four-star defensive end Dylan Stephenson released a Top 10 list (see at the end of article) that didn’t include Florida. However, the Gators offered earlier this week.

Will that be enough to elevate UF on the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder’s leaderboard?

“Extremely Blessed and Honored to receive an offer from University of Florida🐊! @CoachMPeterson @CoachLWillliams @ChadSimmons_ @MohrRecruiting @RWrightRivals @Swamp_247” pic.twitter.com/tcMifvLqao

— Dylan Stephenson (@Dstephenson24) February 28, 2023

QUICK Q&A

Did you have a favorite college team (or player) growing up?
“Not in particular. I was never really big on picking teams, I just really enjoyed watching whatever game was on the TV or who was winning.”

You have some impressive early offers, but is there one or two that really caught your attention? A ‘wow’ moment?
“I would definitely say Georgia and Michigan gave me that ‘wow’ moment. Georgia was a huge deal because it was only about a month after they won the national championship. As well as Michigan with the platform they have and how well they’ve been doing recently.”

How did the Florida offer come about? Who did you communicate with and what did they have to say to you?
“The main people I’ve communicated with are Coach [Mike] Peterson and Coach Larry Williams. So we just planned a phone call and then ‘boom’ [they offered]. I was expecting it sometime soon, but it still felt great to get it!”

What are your early impressions of Florida?
“I definitely wouldn’t say these are early impressions because we’ve been in contact so long. What they’re doing over there is definitely intriguing and great to see. They’re definitely in a transitional phase due to the new staff, but that’s what happens and I can’t wait to see them continue to move forward and progress.”

What are some of the visits you’ve already taken and did any stand out above the rest?
“Yes, I’ve been to UM, FSU, Florida, UCF, Georgia, Michigan, Louisville, and Penn State. I can’t say I had any favorites, they were all great experiences.”

Do you have any spring visits set?
“I definitely plan to visit as many schools as possible and possibly take so of my official visit towards the earlier part of summer.”

Do you have any idea when you’ll get to Florida?
“Yes, I definitely have my eyes set on getting up there around mid April.”

You released a Top 10 in January. Are those still your top choices?
“Since I’ve gotten some more offers since I posted my top 10, there’s definitely been some shifting around with schools being in or out. But the Gators definitely add themselves to that bunch.”

Are there a couple of programs that you know for sure will be there at the very end??
“I can’t predict the future, but I have a strong feeling that Michigan and Florida State will be there till the very end due to the way they’ve been recruiting me up to this point.”

It’s still early, but do you know what you are looking for when you make your choice?
“It’s still really early and I’m taking the process slow trying to take objective looks at each option to see where the next place I call home would be.”

Stephenson is the No. 157 ranked prospect in the nation according to the On3 Consensus.

🚨NEW🚨 2024 4-star EDGE Dylan Stephenson has narrowed his list to 10👀

More from @ChadSimmons_: https://t.co/wkrQhLLbnH pic.twitter.com/f8lbLFgxdK

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 6, 2023