Stephens talks Stanford commitment

2016 Texas running back Brandon Stephens had a good feel for Stanford after taking a Junior Day trip to The Farm early in the spring. A mid-August return visit cemented his positive feelings about the program and led to him deciding to join the Cardinal program.

"I went to Stanford twice," Stephens said. "I took about five visits (to various schools) this summer. My first time when I went to Stanford I definitely thought I could see myself there. And so as time passed I told my parents that I needed to take another visit down there before I committed. The second visit really made it clear on where I wanted to be, and that's why I chose Stanford."

Ultimately, the comfort level Stephens established with Stanford's coaches and players over the course of those trips and his recruitment paved the way for his Cardinal commitment.

"Like I said, I just could really see myself down there," Stephens said. "I clicked with the players, the coaching staff. They have everything that I was asking for and what I've been talking about with my family. My relationship with the coaches was really strong. And again, I just felt real comfortable when I went down there."

Specifically, getting another look at Stanford and its surrounding areas, along with spending more time with the Cardinal coaches and players, made the second visit a success.

"Just talking with the coaching staff and the players again (was a highlight)," Stephens said. "It was really good to do that again and just getting the tours around the city and off campus really made it clear that Stanford was the place for me. Overall the visit was much what I expected."

Stephens announced his verbal commitment to the Cardinal Friday morning during a ceremony at his high school. He informed Stanford's coaches that same day.

"I talked to the coaches on Friday and told them that Stanford is the place where I wanted to be," Stephens said. "They were all excited and of course I was excited. It was a big relief off my shoulders and I'm just glad to be a part of the family now.

"I talked to Coach Pritchard and Coach Taylor. They were just saying how happy they were that I made that decision. I wished them good luck for the Northwestern game and that was pretty much it."

Stephens has received recruiting attention for his abilities as both a running back and a defensive back. He'll play offense on The Farm, but would welcome the opportunity to get some time in the secondary.

"Stanford, they want me at running back and that's the position I'll play," Stephens said. "But I hope to get some reps at DB as well, but if running back is the way then I'll be more than happy to suit up there."

Now that he has committed, the next major step in Stephens' Stanford recruitment will be gaining admission to the university. He's communicated with several Cardinal coaches about just that.

"I talked to Coach Pritchard as well as Coach Shaw and Coach Taylor about the whole (admissions) process and about the adjustments that I need to make toward my schedule and everything," Stephens said. "So I'm pretty clear on all of that...I already made the adjustments to my schedule. I'm good to go now."

Stephens is the third Texas high school standout who has committed to the Cardinal; Kaden Smith and Michael Williams delivered verbal pledges to the Cardinal earlier in the recruiting cycle. Stephens has been in touch with both since making his decision, and he'll actually face off against Smith's high school team next month.

"Actually (Sunday night) I was talking to Kaden Smith and Michael Williams," Stephens said. "I actually play Kaden Smith in a couple of weeks. That's pretty exciting."

The three-star running back knows he will return to The Farm for his third visit at some point before Signing Day. Beyond that, he said he hasn't given visits much thought at this point, however.