John Handley all-state DL Stephen Daley signs with Kent State
WINCHESTER, Va. (BVM) – If one were to have watched the John Handley High School football team this past season, it would have been clear who the team leader was. That’s because senior Stephen Daley not only dominated at his usual spot along the defensive front as a linebacker, but also from the running back position as No. 6 continually ran roughshod over the Judges’ opponents. This strong play earned the attention of many eyes from the next level and the dual-threat made his collegiate decision official when he signed with Kent State on Dec. 16.
“When I went there, it just seemed like a great place to be. I felt like I could be there all four years,” Daley said. “The coaching staff all seemed like they cared about you, not just the football aspect, but wanted to make you a better man before making you a better football player. They were all young and energetic. Just a great coaching staff that I wanted to be around.”
Daley had a number of different Division I offers both Power 5 and otherwise, receiving opportunities from James Madison, Liberty, Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Yale as well as interest from Penn State, Marshall and Wake Forest among others. With a plethora of opportunities, it was the Golden Flashes that won out for Daley’s services after a long and arduous recruiting process.
“It feels really great because it’s been a long process, especially with COVID that kind of made things confusing,” Daley said. “Seniors were returning so some schools were like that spot that was going to be open is not there anymore. Coaching changes. Not being able to go to camp made things hard…Finally I was able to choose my school and be able to officially write it down which felt good because it was a long process.”
The senior was usually the best player on the field any time the Judges played this past season, finishing second on the team in tackles with 84 tackles (51 solo) while adding a whopping 27 tackles for loss, 14 of which were sacks. He also forced five fumbles, recovered one and had a defensive touchdown during the campaign.
If that didn’t show off the 6-foot-2, 250-pound athlete’s ability enough, then his skills as a running back did as he led Handley by running the ball 176 times for 1,786 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns in his first season full-time in the backfield.
“Senior year I was the straight up running back and at first it took a while to get used to because I never played running back ever,” Daley said. “I had to get used to reading the holes and making the right cuts and I felt I got better as long as the season went on. The linemen blocked great all the time and made big holes for me most of the time so it wasn’t hard to miss a hole when they made one.”
The performance came as no surprise for head coach Dan Jones. Jones had experimented with putting Daley on the offense as a sophomore, moving him to tight end, but realized his speed would work best out of the backfield. The move of course paid off.
“It definitely opened up some eyes,” Jones said. “We slowly gave him the ball more and more as the season went on because he meant so much to our defense I didn’t want to wear him out so he could be fresh for defense. But he kept getting better and better and instead of being a big kid that’s fast running the ball, he actually became a running back.”
Led by Daley, the Judges had a strong season finishing 9-2 with an appearance in Region 4C playoffs. Daley’s abilities also helped him earn a number of different recognitions including being named the Region 4C and Class 4 Northwestern District Defensive Player of the Year while being named the Northwestern District Offensive Player of the Year as well. The senior would also earn a spot on the Class 4 All-State football first team as both a running back and a linebacker.
“These accolades surprised all of us as far as the program,” Jones said. “We knew he was dominant on defense but for these other coaches in our area and in the state to recognize that, I think that opened his eyes up like wow maybe I’m better than I think I am.”
The athletic ability is nothing new for Daley. The senior has been a three sport athlete throughout his Judges career, playing basketball and participating in track and field in addition to his career on the gridiron. During his career at Handley, the star athlete has helped the Judges reach the state basketball finals while also finishing fifth in the state in discus and third in the 100-meter dash running it in just 10.81 seconds.
Couldn’t get first, but still proud to end junior year with a new pr of 10.81. @JHHSTrack @HandleyJudges pic.twitter.com/001aO7s1yK
— Stephen Daley (@sdaley_90) June 19, 2021
Despite his athletic skills, it seems Daley will play his natural position across the defensive front. Daley is ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com as a defensive end and he is listed as the No. 37 player in the state of Virginia by the site as well, though he’s not listed on other recruiting sites. The Golden Flashes also see Daley’s future along the defensive line as they list him as a d-lineman on their early signees page.
“They’re mainly expecting me to use my speed and come off the edge and cause havoc for the quarterback and the backfield,” Daley said. “If I get up there in the weight room and get to the weight they want me at they might move me around a little more, but when I first get there they want me to use my speed and just get back there.”
This decision to keep Daley rushing the passer will likely work out for Kent State. Throughout his four years as a starter for the Judges, sacking the quarterback is what Daley arguably did best as he broke the school record for sacks and set the high mark with 50.5 in 37 career games.
Now, Daley will join a Golden Flashes team that was near the top of the Mid-American Conference, falling just short of a MAC Championship losing to Northern Illinois in the championship game. With Daley in the fold, Kent State’s defense will look to improve from giving up an average of 36.29 points a game. Adding a player of Daley’s caliber will pay dividends for the Golden Flashes as he will bring his outstanding athleticism to Kent looking to continue his strong football career.
“He’ll always make a play or do something that will amaze you even more,” Jones said. “Every time you think you’ve seen him at his best, he seems to find one more gear or does something even more spectacular than before. He’s going to be a thrill or exciting to watch because he’ll always do something better than expected or you’ve seen already. He never ceases to amaze you.”
