Step Durham (full name is Stepheny Durham) came to Tech as a 4-star recruit from Jacksonville, Florida's Atlantic Coast High School, where he was the most highly recruited athlete in school history. Don't be surprised if you see Step in the starting lineup later this year. This kid can play.
As an early enrollee who went though spring drills, he begins pre-season practice as the backup corner behind D.J. White. He's listed at 5'11", 185 pounds, but the summer workouts likely added five pounds. He is a 4.6 40-yard guy, so he should be able to cover well. He also demonstrated he can close on sweeps and is an aggressive, fundamentally sound tackler. Step was a four year starter in high school and also ran track and played basketball. On the football team he played wide receiver at times, as well as a starting CB. There is no question he is a well rounded athlete.
Step is the only true freshman on the two-deep roster in the secondary. Of the five projected starters, only Isaiah Johnson is a Senior. This is a young group with a lot of talent. Of the corners, White and Lynn Griffin are solid starters, but Durham could emerge as the first sub in for either of them. I expect he will see a lot of action in the early games as the coaches certainly want him to be ready if needed when league play begins. With both Johnson and Jamal Golden coming back after injuries, having Durham ready could be a critical element to our chances for a successful season. I am sure Ted Roof has high hopes for this young man.
In the classroom, Step is a National Honor Society member majoring in Business Administration. He will be wearing number 29, so watch for him making plays early. He could also see time on special teams, especially kickoff coverage.