Jack Stepp has always known where he wanted to play college baseball.
Having grown up a fan of the Tigers and with his father graduating from Clemson, there really was no other school that resonated with the two-way player out of Wade Hampton.
Stepp, who is a rising junior, was so sure that he committed early during his freshman year in high school, ahead of Erik Bakich’s first season with the program. The allure of playing for his favorite team, along with the culture that Bakich was instilling inside the program, were all things that attracted Stepp.
“A winning culture, they do the right things,” Stepp told The Clemson Insider. “They play their own way, they play the right way. I love how close it is to I where I’m from, where I live. I just love the atmosphere, the town and the people. Everything that goes with it.”
As a sophomore, Stepp started eight games, with the lefty averaging 9.25 strikeouts per game. He threw a complete game no-hitter against Traveler’s Rest, a game that saw him strike out 14 hitters. He was All-Region as a freshman and sophomore and won the Golden Arm Award in 2024.
Despite still having two more seasons in high school, Stepp has already developed a devastating curve ball and his fastball is close to hitting the 90 MPH mark.
“A really good curveball,” Stepp said about what he brings to the table. “A really good ability to control my pitches and hit my spots.”
Watching the Tigers’ magical run to a Super Regional this season has Stepp excited about the next chapter in his career.
“It was two great teams, and I think it could have gone either way,” he said “But overall is it was a great, great series, and they had a great season.”
And watching Bakich go to war for his players in that final game against Florida, a game in which the head coach was ejected, along with assistant Jack Leggett and first basemen Jack Crighton, has Stepp even more anxious to suit up in the Orange and Purple.
“I think it’ll be amazing,” Stepp added. “Just knowing that he cares so much for his players and their success, and he’ll do anything to just help them succeed. Like what happened when he got up in the umpire’s face and just kind of stuck with his players. I think that’s just awesome as a coach, and I think that’s one of the main things people look for in a coach. I think it’s just going to be amazing to have him by my side as a coach.”
“It’s awesome to just have a guy that you know will just do anything to stick up for you and his players. His players come first. And I think that’s just awesome.”
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
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