PSHS standout Troy Stevenson gets attention from Division I programs

Philip Simmons High School football coach Eric Bendig didn’t need to conjure up psychic powers two years ago when he predicted then-sophomore Troy Stevenson would become the school’s first major, super-duper, recruiting star.

 

“He’s tall and long for his age,” Bendig said in an earlier interview with The Daniel Island News. “A lot of people, including me, figure he will grow into a 6-1 or 6-2 cornerback. He’s fluid athletically. He’s really gifted. He does a lot of things that can’t be taught.”

 

Shortly after that interview, Stevenson, who was 5-10 at the time, received scholarship offers from Penn State and LSU.

 

Today, the 6-foot-1 Stevenson holds offers from 28 schools that want him to ink with them on National Signing Day and to matriculate their way when Stevenson heads off to college after his senior year.

 

“I’m looking for a school that offers a great education, great facilities and great tradition,” said Stevenson, who is projected to play on the defensive side of the ball at the next level. “I’m planning to make my decision before the season starts or midway through the season.”

 

Stevenson is a teenager and teenagers have been known to change their minds. So for now, his top three schools include Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Miami with Cincinnati and Nebraska still in the conversation. He’s already made an official visit to Georgia Tech and will

visit Blacksburg, Virginia, June 23-25. He is still trying to coordinate a visit to Coral Gables to check out “The U.”

 

Just how much potential does Stevenson exude?

 

National recruiting service 24/7 Sports lists the three-sport star, who is a rising senior, as the No. 131 player in the country in the Class of 2024. They rank him as the No. 7 athlete nationally in his class, and the No. 3 player in the Palmetto State.

 

Brian Dohn, a national recruiting analyst with 24/7 Sports, said Stevenson needs to continue developing his footwork, “particularly in flipping his hips.”

 

Dohn feels Stevenson can be an impact player for a top-20 program and has late-round NFL draft potential.

 

For now, Stevenson is getting ready for his senior season as the Iron Horses prepare for their second year of competition at the Class AAA level.

 

“It’s going to be a great season,” said Stevenson. “We have a great group of experienced players returning, and we have some young guys with potential. We have to make sure they are on the right path.”

 

Stevenson will play wide receiver and in the secondary this fall. Last year, Stevenson caught 19 passes for 443 yards and eight touchdowns.

 

His defensive stats are not as gaudy as you might expect because opposing teams’ game plans included going away from Stevenson when it came time to run or pass. He tallied 22 tackles in 2022, including 16 for solo stops. He picked off only two passes.

 

“It does get frustrating when other teams don’t challenge me, when they throw to the other side of the field,” Stevenson said. “But that gives my teammates a chance to get some shine.”