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

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08/06/21 - RB Markese Stepp, rSr/2024, Western Kentucky

Junior running back Markese Stepp, a USC transfer who missed all but the team's first two spring practices in April after doctors determined he needed foot surgery, appears to be ahead of schedule. That has made him squarely a factor in NU's six-man competition for the starting running back job this fall. "He's done some really good things. This is really his first time taking reps because he was hurt in the spring, but he looks 100% and ready to roll," Lubick said. Coach Scott Frost said last month at Big Ten Media Days that Stepp, a 6-foot-1, 230-pounder, might be on a "pitch count" to begin camp, but Lubick on Wednesday said that hasn't really needed to be the case.

A couple of caveats: NU is keeping a close eye on Stepp and on Thursday the team goes full pads for the first time, so there is still reason for some level of caution. However, Lubick said he at this point doesn't have any doubts that Stepp is just about full speed. "Coming into this fall, we kind of thought limited reps, let's see what he can do, we don't want to rush him back too soon and see how he progresses," Lubick said. "He's been doing better than we thought as far as his health. I don't know, it's kind of a practice-by-practice thing, but I think he's ready to roll in a scrimmage. If we had to play tomorrow, he'd be ready to roll. We feel good about that. He's kind of progressed faster than we thought he would from a health standpoint." - Lincoln Journal Star

rSr/2024