Justin Stepp Class: Senior Hometown: Pelion, S.C. High School: Pelion H.S. Height / Weight: 5-11 / 188 Position: FLK Experience: 3L

Furman: Versatile, consensus All-Southern Conference performer who will anchor a Paladin receiving corps and again serve as the squad's punt return specialist...presence should be a great asset to new starting quarterback Renaldo Gray...heads into the 2006 season ranked 18th on Furman's career receptions ledger with 72 catches...nine touchdown catches stands 11th on career chart. 2005 -- Fashioned an impressive campaign in his first season as a starting flanker, helping the Paladins go 11-3, advance to the NCAA I-AA playoff semifinals, and finish the campaign ranked No. 3 nationally...played a key role in Furman averaging a SoCon leading and nationally second best 470.0 yards per game in total offense...led Furman an ranked second in the SoCon in receiving with 46 catches for 676 yards and eight touchdowns...46 receptions marked the sixth highest season total in Furman history, and his eight touchdown catches topped the league and represented the fourth best single season mark ever by a Paladin...recorded perhaps the biggest catch of the campaign in the season opener at Jacksonville State when he gathered in an 8-yard strike from quarterback Ingle Martin on the final play of the game to give the Paladins a 37-35 win...game winning catch capped the decisive nine-play, 74-yard drive...finished the game with five receptions for 53 yards...caught TD passes against Western Carolina (41-21 loss) and Hofstra (44-41 2OT win) before grabbing eight aerials for 114 yards and a touchdown at The Citadel (39-31 3OT win)...30-yard fourth quarter scoring strike from Renaldo Gray helped Furman erase a 21-7 final period deficit to the Bulldogs and force overtime...hooked up with Martin on a 39-yard touchdown strike at Georgia Southern (27-24 loss)...had three catches for 121 yards, including a career best 58-yarder, at Chattanooga (56-35 win)...broke free for a key 29-yard scoring catch in the third quarter to give Furman a 7-6 lead en route to a 14-12 NCAA I-AA playoff victory over Nicholls State...followed it up with a career best 11-reception, 143-yard peformance in a 24-20 quarterfinal playoff win at Richmond...11 receptions marked the fifth most catches ever by a Paladin...led the SoCon in punt return average (8.4 avg.). 2004 -- Caught 11 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown working as a backup to Brian Bratton...led Furman with 17 punts returns for 131 yards (7.7 avg.)...caught four passes for 59 yards in season opener against Presbyterian (52-7 win)...credited with a 51-yard reception against Gardner-Webb (38-6 win)...had three punt returns for 32 yards, including a season best 25-yard effort, against Jacksonville State (49-7 win) in NCAA I-AA first round playoff action...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll. 2003 -- Fashioned an impressive first season as a key contributor in the receiving corps and punt return specialist...finished fourth on the squad with 15 receptions for 135 yards... averaged 8.7 yards on 27 punt returns, good for fourth best in the SoCon...season best 57-yard punt return went for a touchdown against Gardner-Webb (45-0 win)...caught two passes for 21 yards against Elon (24-7 win) in his first game...recorded a season high four receptions for 44 yards versus Wofford. 2002 -- Member of scout team...awarded redshirt and extra year of eligibility.

High School: 2002 graduate of Pelion High School...four-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back...connected with twin brother Josh for one reception for 29 yards in 2001 Shrine Bowl, helping South Carolina to 17-0 win over North Carolina...three-time all-area and all-state selection...caught 64 passes for 1,272 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior in helping Pelion to a 9-3 record and state playoff appearance...also had 87 tackles and 10 interceptions in 2001...recorded three receptions for 94 yards, seven tackles, and three interceptions -- including two he returned for touchdowns -- in a win over Swansea...football coach was Ben Freeman...also competed in basketball and baseball.

Personal: Full name is Justin Spencer Stepp...son of Tim and Sherell Stepp...born July 5, 1983, in Columbia, South Carolina...twin brother Josh began his career at Furman as a quarterback before transferring to Newberry following the 2003-04 school year... health and exercise science major.