It's official: Stephens signs with Texas A&M

McALLEN — Louisville running backs coach Tony Alford was the final college recruiter who contacted McAllen Memorial's Bradley Stephens two weeks ago in hopes of switching the standout's verbal pledge from Texas A&M to the Cardinals.

Like the long list of those before Alford, Stephens said thanks but no thanks.

Stephens, with family, friends, coaches, administration and media in a packed library, made that verbal pledge binding early Wednesday morning, signing his letter-of-intent with the Aggies during the 2007 National Signing Day.

"I was kind of nervous last night," said Stephens, who owns nearly every single season and career rushing mark in the Rio Grande Valley record books. "I don't really know why, but I was nervous. I guess it was just knowing that it was all coming to an end.

"And now it's pretty much over, besides me walking across the stage at graduation."

Stephens, along with his parents and coach Bill Littleton, actually signed off on the letter-of-intent around 7:05 a.m. on Wednesday -- three hours before his scheduled news conference -- as for the request of the anxious A&M coaching staff. After faxing the paperwork to College Station, Aggies coach Dennis Franchione placed a call to Stephens offering his congratulations.

The news conference drew a packed house, with curious observers gathering around the windows of the step-down library.

"This is probably as packed as I've ever seen this place," Littleton said.

By the time Stephens completed his high school career he compiled enough yardage on the ground to finish second all-time on the state's Class 5A career rushing list. The only player he trailed was Cedric Benson, who rushed for 8,423 yards for Midland Lee from 1998 through 2000. Benson went on to standout career for the Texas Longhorns and now is playing for the NFL's Chicago Bears.

In total, Stephens finished his career with 7,803 yards rushing.

"(Stephens) is a guy that I think might be able to help us next year," Franchione said. "Bradley is an excellent running back. This is another guy that I think could be a kick returner and punt returner as well. He's a guy you want to have the ball in his hands."

On the Valley scene, Stephens eclipsed nearly every rushing record imaginable. He owns the single season rushing mark at 2,622 yards in 10 games during 2005, and destroyed the previous career touchdown and rushing marks. Stephens rushing total was 2,268 yards more than the previous record held by Brownsville Hanna's Tony Ellis. Stephens also cruised past Ellis' previous career touchdown record as he finished with 113 TDs, 40 more scores than the previous mark.

This past season Stephens rushed for 2,546 yards and 33 touchdowns, leading the Mustangs to the first postseason victories in the 27-year history of the program. Memorial finished 10-3 after losing in the Class 5A Division II regional semifinal.

"I’ve been around here for 50 years, and he's the best athlete to ever step on a field here at McAllen ISD," said B.R. "Poppy" Rodriguez, McAllen ISD athletic director and a former standout running back himself for PSJA High during the early 1960s.

Stephens, who had scholarship offers from such notables as Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech, is one of the top running backs in the nation. ESPN lists him as the No. 13 running back overall in the 2007 signing class.

"I’m going to have to earn everything all over again," Stephens said. "It's been great, and I've enjoyed all the success I've had in high school here at McAllen Memorial, but I'm also looking forward to the next chapter of my life."

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Wade Baker is Deputy Sports Editor of The Monitor. You can reach him (956) 683-4450.