4-star EDGE Dylan Stephenson commits to Stanford Cardinal

Miami (Fla.) Christopher Columbus four-star EDGE Dylan Stephenson was looking for a school that checked all of his boxes. Academics, football, culture, and Stephenson had visited multiple schools in search of the program that checked all of his marks.

That school turned out to be Stanford as Stephenson announced his pledge to the Cardinal on Tuesday afternoon, picking them over Auburn, Florida State, Illinois, Louisville and Miami.

“They have always been a school in the mix and one that intrigued me, but really about six months ago is when they turned up the pressure,” Stephenson told On3. “Once the new staff was in place, things changed. I was always interested in Stanford because of the mix of academics and football, but Troy Taylor and the new staff really showed a lot of interest in me.

“During the spring, they picked it up and that changed things for me. I got out there for the first time on April 8 and it was a great experience. I was there for two days and I saw practice, the campus, I sat in on meetings, I met with the academic staff and when I left that visit, I was feeling good about Stanford.”

For a large portion of his recruitment it looked like Florida State was the favorite to land a pledge from Stephenson. He said things began to change late in the spring when Stanford defensive coordinator Bobby April came down to Miami and met with him

“He and Stanford started showing me they cares and that I really meant something to them,” said Stephenson, the No. 196 player in the 2024 class. “Me and coach April are in constant contact. He is a real guy. My connection with him was big in my decision. We talk ball, we talk life and we have a strong relationship.”

Decision was based on more than football for Stephenson

Stephenson took an official to Stanford on June 2 and during that visit is when he said things really began to click for him.

He acknowledged that Florida State had been the favorite in his own mind for awhile but between the connection with April and the official visit going so well, things quickly changed.

As he and his family left campus and headed to the airport to head home, Stephenson said he called and let the staff know his decision was made.

“The official visit solidified things with Stanford for me,” Stephenson said. “On the first visit I was with my dad and on the official visit, I was able to bring my mom and my brother. I fell in love with Stanford and they saw that. I had seen it all before, I knew what Stanford was about and then they saw it too.”

While the football side of things fit him to a tee, it was the off-the-field aspect of what the program brings that really stood out Stephenson and his family.

“When you hear the name, it rings different types of bells than just football,’ Stephenson said. “The academics played a huge part into my decision. It is a top three education in the world. Between the education and playing high quality, I loved it.

“The Pac 12 throws the ball a lot, so it is a great conference for EDGEs like me to play in. I like the scheme, the academics and the overall fit.”