Stephens has been very, very tight lipped about his recruitment, but a few notes in advance of his Friday morning decision. (The short version: I think it's Colorado or Stanford, and I think both programs are still in the dark.)
-I'd be surprised if it was Alabama, Texas or Texas A&M.
-To my knowledge Stephens has never visited Washington. If he has, they could be a wildcard.
-So that leaves Colorado and Stanford. As of earlier today, I do not believe Stephens had informed either staff of his decision. Based on the digging I've done (chatting with sources close to the recruitment and other reporters in the Rivals.com network) I'd give a very, very slight edge to Colorado (or Washington), but unfortunately I honestly don't know which direction this will end up going. There has certainly been a lot of buzz nationally about Stanford, but it's hard to know if that's based on the fact that UT/A&M/Bama are unlikely, so process of elimination, or if there are people who actually have direct connections to Stephens himself. The best sources I have on this don't know yet/lean ever so slightly away from the Cardinal.
Generally we would have a better sense for where things stand this close to a decision, but unfortunately not this time. Stephens is still a possibility or Stanford, and he would be a take for the program (though his future position is actually somewhat of a question, even with the Cardinal - there have been discussions about DB in addition to RB).
I will pass along anything I hear in the next 24+ hours, but at this point I'm planning to set my alarm for the 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time announcement on Friday and learning his decision then just like everyone else.
-I'd be surprised if it was Alabama, Texas or Texas A&M.
-To my knowledge Stephens has never visited Washington. If he has, they could be a wildcard.
-So that leaves Colorado and Stanford. As of earlier today, I do not believe Stephens had informed either staff of his decision. Based on the digging I've done (chatting with sources close to the recruitment and other reporters in the Rivals.com network) I'd give a very, very slight edge to Colorado (or Washington), but unfortunately I honestly don't know which direction this will end up going. There has certainly been a lot of buzz nationally about Stanford, but it's hard to know if that's based on the fact that UT/A&M/Bama are unlikely, so process of elimination, or if there are people who actually have direct connections to Stephens himself. The best sources I have on this don't know yet/lean ever so slightly away from the Cardinal.
Generally we would have a better sense for where things stand this close to a decision, but unfortunately not this time. Stephens is still a possibility or Stanford, and he would be a take for the program (though his future position is actually somewhat of a question, even with the Cardinal - there have been discussions about DB in addition to RB).
I will pass along anything I hear in the next 24+ hours, but at this point I'm planning to set my alarm for the 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time announcement on Friday and learning his decision then just like everyone else.
