Croix Stewart, the American Canyon transfer, has found his home at Benicia High and the young defensive back hoped to prove himself at the National Preps Showcase on November 21 at Vacaville Christian High. The junior has received an offer from Fresno State and has slight interest from other schools as well.
In preparation for this event and to stay active, Stewart has found ways to keep putting in work.
“I’ve just been lifting and running a lot," Stewart said. "I’ve been playing 7 on 7 too so that keeps me active and gives me a chance to get on the field.”
Stewart’s work clearly paid off as he received the award of Testing MVP, which certainly helps him achieve what he said was his driving factor for coming to the showcase.
“My main motivation was to just get more film out there and show more of what I can do," said Stewart. "When it comes down to it though I need more film on the field with pads on and colleges have been telling me that.”
So why has Stewart, an uber athletic corner with a suitable frame only received one offer going into his junior year?
The answer to that question is two-pronged. First, as Stewart acknowledged himself, he has quite a “small sample size” in terms of film available relative to what he would have under normal circumstances. Scouts are still left wondering how Croix covers different routes in the route tree and if he can set the edge in run defense.
The second component of the obstacle he’s facing was presented very clearly by Brandon Huffman, National Recruiting Director of 247 Sports.
“Given his lack of tape, it is unknown whether Croix is a corner or a safety," said Huffman. "He’s a DB for sure, but can he flip his hips and cover top-tier receivers or is he better suited in run fit.”
Many at the showcase, including National Preps Scout Paul Gregorian, said much the same. Most opined that Croix “doesn’t know how good he is yet” and will need to become “more confident in his abilities.”
Now, it may be uncertain where Stewart will line up on the field, but he made it abundantly clear that his drive and work ethic are two things that should not be in question.
“Results are the main motivation, whenever I put work in for anything," said Stewart. "Sports-related or not, the results are what keep me determined and motivated. I want people to know that I don’t expect anything to be handed to me and I am willing to work for it all.”
Before a diamond is polished and cut, it will look quite rough and could very easily be mistaken for a pebble-- that’s where the idiomatic expression "diamond in the rough" stems from. In relation to Stewart the defensive back out of Benicia, a little bit of polish may be all that young man needs to become a coveted diamond, waiting to be discovered by a lucky suiter.
