The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.
Alex Stump's path to becoming a Buckeye was not an easy one. He lived it, he loved it and he worked his tail off for it; still an Ohio State offer eluded him. When he decided in May to commit to the University of Kentucky, he did so knowing that choice could potentially keep him from ever recognizing his dreams of playing in Columbus.
Over the summer months, the Lakewood St. Edward's product had a number of opportunities to put his best foot forward with the Buckeyes, but held himself out of each and every camp setting Ohio State invited him to attend. He was a Kentucky commitment and didn't want to risk disrespecting Mark Stoops and the coaches in Lexington by openly "auditioning" for another scholarship offer.
In September, as Stump and his Eagles' teammates were impressing audiences all over America on national TV, he caught the eye of one interested viewer: Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. The man in charge in Columbus finally saw first-hand what Stump could do on the football field and the Buckeyes ramped up their pursuit of the four-star wide receiver and the rest, as they say, is history. Stump was offered by the Buckeyes, visited, and became a Buckeye on October 12th. Although his season was derailed by a foot injury, Stump and the rest of St. Ed's senior class went out on top, knocking off Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) 31-21 in Ohio's Division One state championship game the first weekend of December.
Today, Stump steps into the 11W Community Interview spotlight and takes your questions about recruiting, playing wide receiver and more.
What are your best areas as far as being a WR (right now) and what areas do you feel you need the most work on? - BuckeyeinSECcountry
AS: Right now I would say my best areas are my hands and my vertical speed. I would say I need to work on running better and smarter routes, and continuing to be a student of the game. I need to keep improving on all aspects of my game, and I will.
Who's your favorite NFL wideout? If you don't say Jordy Nelson, I might be a little disappointed. - BGSUBucksFan
AS: Jordy Nelson by far. I love watching him play. I feel my game is very similar to his, too. People didn’t respect his speed and he took advantage of that. I love that.
How is the injury coming along, and did you discuss redshirting next year or are you planning on playing? - Bleeding-Scarlet-Grey
AS: It’s going great. Everything is on schedule. I have not discussed redshirting with any of the coaches. I will be 100-percent with my foot by March and shouldn’t be behind at all when I report to Ohio State. I just want to do whatever I can to contribute as early as possible for the Buckeyes.
What made you decide to flip from Kentucky to OSU? Did you grow up as a buckeye fan or was their another factor that persuaded you to come to The Ohio State University? - RaiderRed
AS: A lot of things affected my decision. I did grow up a Buckeye fan, as did my whole family and most of my friends. I would say the main factor for me was going to an established program that is going to contend for championships every year. Playing for the best coach in college football is another bonus.
With the tremendous success of each quarterback and the different styles they bring to the table; who of Braxton Miller, JT Barrett, and/or Cardale Jones do you most look forward to playing with? - KansasBuckeye
I would say the main factor for me was going to an established program that is going to contend for championships every year. Playing for the best coach in college football is another bonus.
AS: Those guys are all great quarterbacks. To be honest, I would want to play for all three of them. It doesn’t matter to me who the quarterback is as long as they can lead the team and win games. All three of those guys are more than capable of doing both those things, and all three can get the wide receivers the ball.
Have any former St. Ed's players contacted you during your recruiting process or did you seek out insight or advice from any former Eagles who went to Ohio State? - RedStorm45
AS: I have been in contact with Alex Boone and Nate Oliver throughout my recruitment. I got to know Alex during the offseason when he came to work out at St. Ed’s. He’s a great guy and was pumped when I told him I was going to be a Buckeye. Nate is a guy who reached out to me after I announced and I have talked to a few times. He’s a great man and is helpful with everything.
Throughout the recruiting process, what seems to be the biggest draw for players you encounter? Tradition of a program, style of play, coach/recruiter relationships, early playing time, or something else? - 63TinMan
AS: I feel like its different for every player. Players all want different things. For me I think everything factors in to making a decision. I feel that the tradition and the coaches are the biggest draw because that shows how stable a program is. I wanted to go somewhere that is going to win and win championships.
Losing your senior season, at least most of it, to injury, how did you keep your mind right and not let the problems with your foot interfere with your ability to be a great teammate, leader, etc? - TeddyHeisman
AS: It was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. I think the main thing this injury taught me was how much I love the game of football. Realizing that it made it easier to stay involved as a coach and mentor to the younger guys. I got to do things like go into the press box during games and help call plays. It added a perspective of the game I never really knew existed.
St. Ed's has had a lot of talent the last few years and going forward, what's the advice you'll give to the kids going through recruiting in the next few years? Is the advice different for those who are "Ohio State caliber" and those who may not be? - HandsomePelican
AS: There is always going to be talent at St. Ed's. I think the advice is the same for all of them. You have to help yourself out by sending your film and going to combines and camps. The main thing is to play St. Ed's style football and play for the team and things will work out.
What do you do for fun in your spare time? Do you have any talents, hobbies outside of sports that people may not know about? Do you know what you want to study in college? - JBirmMD
AS: I just enjoy hanging out with my friends, watching Netflix, and eating. I want to study either business or law. I want to be a sports agent in the future.
