A four-year starter for
Menendez (St. Augustine, Fla.),
Tony Steward has been ready for college football for quite some time.
Up until an injury caused him to miss two games this season, Steward had started every varsity contest since his freshman season. He began playing safety as a ninth grader before transitioning to the linebacker spot. He has always had a crucial role on special teams as Menendez's primary kick returner.
This season, Steward also spent time at running back, and carrying Menendez on offense. He was the team's most prolific player on both sides of the ball. However, rarely leaving the field took its toll on the 6-foot-2, 235-pounder.
"This year, he was the only thing they [Menendez] had," said Justin Barney, a writer at the St. Augustine Record. "His defensive production took a significant decline. He played 110 snaps a game, and just broke down at the end of the season."
While his statistics may have suffered, Steward's value rose even higher. Colleges saw an athletic workhorse built like a Greek god. Already a celebrity around his small town of Hastings, Fla., Steward became well-known among fans of recruiting, as he rose to the No. 6 spot in the 2011 Top 100.
Can Clemson steal Steward from
Florida State?
Courtesy of Menendez football
The buzz that has surrounded Steward for a long time has been that he's made up his mind to attend Florida State. While Barney says that Steward grew up a Seminoles fan, that may not be as much of a factor as some have suggested.
"He made it clear early that [growing up a Florida State fan] wasn't going to make the decision for him," he said.
Hot on Steward's tail are the Clemson Tigers, who currently appear to trail Florida State for his services, but don't intend to play bridesmaid on National Signing Day. Despite an unimpressive 2010 campaign on the field, Clemson has been a force in the recruiting world lately, and has maintained most of its highly rated commitments.
Steward visited Clemson earlier this month and was hosted by safety Rashard Hall, who played at crosstown rival
St. Augustine (Fla.). Experiencing that local connection 400 miles from home reportedly made a mark on Steward.
A third suitor, UCLA, was also in the running, as Steward made the cross-country trip in December and came away impressed. However, it seems like a two-team race for Steward, despite the Bruins' attempts to sway him to head out West.
"It's between Clemson and Florida State," Barney said.
Steward is expected to announce his decision at 10 a.m. EST on National Signing Day, at a press conference held at Menendez. With a week to go, MaxPreps handicaps the odds on which school he'll pick:
Florida State (80 percent): Steward will most likely don a Seminoles cap on Wednesday, unless something drastic happens in the next few days. Florida State has always been the leader in this face, and there's little reason to think they'll falter before the finish line.
Clemson (20 percent): While Clemson has pulled off many recruiting victories with top targets in the class of 2011, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers will likely get left at the altar for Steward, but still bring in a top class.
