Moments after a 32-8 blowout win in the opening round of the Pittsburgh City League Playoffs, University Prep linebacker and Division 1 prospect Xair Stevenson said he relished the chance of playing in the championship game for the first time in his career. He didn’t take long to savor the opportunity, though.
It feels amazing, smiling cheek to cheek,” Stevenson said. “Now we’ve gotta win it, though. It ain’t just [getting to] the championship, we’ve gotta win it.”
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior picked up an offer from Temple in September, and he has gameday invites with Army and Liberty scheduled in November. Beyond his offer from the Owls, Stevenson said he’s talking tentatively with Maryland, Boston College and UConn.
“I’ve been talking to UConn a lot,” Stevenson added.
Stevenson plays all over the field: he served as defensive back earlier in his career but spends most of his time at middle linebacker and wide receiver these days. He isn’t huge for a linebacker, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Stevenson knows how to keep his shoulder pads low and wrap up, and he racks up plenty of tackles because of it.
Attention to Detail
When talking with college coaches, Stevenson said that they focus on paying attention to detail.
“They want me to [focus] on my defense,” Stevenson said. “Flying to the ball, simple stuff. Stuff I can fix.”
While defense may be the priority at the next level, Stevenson said he wants to showcase his versatility.
“I really don’t know. I think I’m gonna be an A-T-H, to be honest,” Stevenson said. “They want me everywhere, to move me around.”
In showing his all-around ability, Xair Stevenson again focuses on the little things: hydration, for instance, so that he has the conditioning to play on both sides of the ball.
“Just keep working, stay on my stamina,” Stevenson said. “Make sure I’m able to play four quarters without cramping… just keep working out in the offseason.”
