USC receivers coach Justin Stepp made an in-home visit with Strom Thurmond receiver Braylon Staley Wednesday night. It was his second in-person meeting with Staley in as many weeks. The two talked at the school last week.
Stepp’s task has been to try to turn Staley away from his long-time Tennessee commitment.
“We had a good little visit,” Staley said. “We talked for a little bit, talked about some family stuff. Just talking. We at us some food, you know a good meal my momma cooked. It meant a lot for him to just come out and just to visit me on off days like this. It means a lot.”
The USC receivers room has been depleted by transfers and NFL Draft declarations since season’s end. Most notably, the Gamecocks are losing Xavier Legette and Juice Wells. One thing Stepp can sell to Staley is immediate playing opportunity.
“Just telling me he needs me man,” Staley said. “He said he needs some more guys in the wide receiver. He said he would love for me to be one of them, love for me to stay in state. Things like that. They had a big receiver enter the Portal, they have an awesome one coming in in Mazeo (Bennett}. Their room is looking a little thin. I’m thinking they’ll try to get one out of the Portal.”
The bottom line in all this for Stepp and Staley: did the visit do anything to move Staley off his Tennessee commitment?
“The visit itself was cool and all,” Staley said. “I’m still committed to Tennessee. If things go differently, then things go differently. As of right now I’m committed to Tennessee.”
Staley is expecting Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel in for an in-home visit Saturday. He’s not aware of USC coach Shane Beamer planning to make one. And he will not be taking any visits before signing December 20th because of his schedule with the Shrine Bowl next week.