This defensive lineman came to U.S. chasing a dream. Now he’s committed to Boise State
The Boise State football team went international to land its latest 2023 recruit.
German defensive lineman Max Stege announced his verbal commitment Wednesday morning on Twitter. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defender plays for the Cologne Crocodiles and is a captain on Germany’s U19 national team.
Boise State offered Stege a scholarship in June while he was in American going to camps and touring colleges with PPI Recruits, which is a program run by former Massachusetts defensive lineman Brandon Collier. He brings a select group of players to the U.S. every summer in an event that has been dubbed the Dreamchasers Tour.
“The DreamChasers Tour was unbelievable for me,” Stege said. “For the first time in my life, I was able to experience American football in America, and that was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Since its inception in 2017, PPI Recruits has helped more than 80 players from 15 countries earn scholarships from Division I programs in America. Collier said Stege is one of the most talented high school players he’s ever worked with.
“He’s arguably the best high school defensive lineman in Europe, and he’d be a four-star recruit if he was in America,” Collier said. “He may not pass the eyeball test like some American players with five-star ratings, but when you turn on the tape, you see how special he really is.”
Stege visited Boise State over the weekend and attended the Broncos’ 30-7 win over UT Martin. He doesn’t have a rating from 247Sports, but Stege does have scholarship offers from Houston, Liberty, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Bryant, Eastern Michigan, Austin Peay and Idaho.
Stege comes from an athletic family. His stepfather, Khalid Khatib, was a seven-time national boxing champion in Germany. Stege grew up boxing, and he said the skills he learned translate well to the football field.
“It really helps with my coordination, and I have really quick hands and feet,” Stege said. “That comes from late-night practices in the gym with my dad, and I’m beyond thankful that he taught me everything and supported me in all ways.”
Boise State’s 2023 recruiting class
QB CJ Tiller, 6-3, 200, Rancho Cucamonga (California) High
LB Wyatt Milkovic, 6-1, 233, Basha High (Chandler, Arizona)
OL Jason Steele, 6-4, 280, Murrieta Valley (California) High
RB Jambres Dubar, 6-0, 200, Anna (Texas) High
WR Jackson Grier, 6-0, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas High (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
CB Franklyn Johnson Jr., 5-11, 175, Little Elm (Texas) High
OT Kyle Cox, 6-6, 270, Eatonville (Washington) High
OT Carson Rasmussen, 6-5, 300, Owyhee High (Meridian)
TE Cayden Dawson, 6-5, 232, University City High (San Diego)
TE Oliver Fisher, 6-5, 225, Sherwood (Oregon) High
DL Michael Madrie, 6-4, 260, Argyle (Texas) High
DL Max Stege, 6-5, 250, Cologne Crocodiles, Germany
