Steptoe has been one of college footballs best triple threats over the past three seasons. As a sophomore, he caught 30 balls for 446 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 22.6 yards per kick return, and 6.5 yards per punt return. As a junior in 2005, he had 37 catches for 493 yards and one touchdown, while averaging 25.5 yards per kick return, and 11.1 yards per punt return with one taken back for a touchdown. Steptoe had career bests acrossed the board as a senior, hauling in 55 passes for 568 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with a 25.6 kick return average, and a 13.1 yard punt return average and one touchdown.
Steptoe is a threat to make a big play at any time. He has excellent quickness and agility. He can start and stop as well as anyone, and is explosive in the open field. Once he is into open space, he’s gone. His biggest impact will come as a punt returner, but he has the talent to fill a variety of roles. He’s a solid kick returner, and may have the ability to be a solid receiver out of the slot.
Size is the obvious negative with Steptoe. He is short, and has a frail build. He is very limited as a receiver, and will probably only be capable of being a fourth or fifth receiver.
With the success Devin Hester has had solely on special teams, Steptoe is a player that could get extra looks on Day Two of the draft. He may be limited in what he can do on offense, but he has a lot of talent in the return game. Steptoe had an average showing in the post season, managing only a 4.61 in the 40 at the combine. He’s worth a late look, but he has work ahead of him to do.