Tag: Shon Stephens

Report: Eagles sign CB Shon Stephens after impressive showing at rookie minicamp

Philadelphia Eagles to sign CB Shon Stephens after impressive showing at rookie minicamp

Andrew DiCecco reports that the Eagles are adding another talented young cornerback to the roster. The team will sign Shon Stephens after his impressive showing at the rookie minicamp.

Stephens seemed to confirm the news.

The standout from the D-II powerhouse Ferris State opened eyes during his Pro Day performance on the campus of Michigan State back in March.

Stephens is the nephew of longtime NFL linebacker Joey Porter and a cousin of Joey Porter Jr., a first-round pick in 2023. Stephens didn’t play for three seasons after he was denied transfer eligibility at Penn State in 2019 and Purdue in 2023 as a grad transfer.

Stephens started garnering NFL attention after becoming a ballhawk in his one season for the Bulldogs after transferring from West Liberty. He was a Cliff Harris Award finalist and a D-II All-American.

Steelers invite cousin of CB Joey Porter Jr. to rookie minicamp

Shon Stephens is a speedy cornerback from Ferris State.

One of the more interesting names the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown an interest in after the 2024 NFL draft is Ferris State cornerback Shon Stephens. Not because he’s an elite prospect but because he is the cousin of Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Stephens posted a 40-yard dash in the 4.3’s and repped 225 pounds 19 times on the bench press at Michigan State’s pro day at only 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds.

Stephens is obviously a longshot to make the team and considering he has also accepted an invite to the Philadelphia Eagles rookie camp first. There’s a real possibility Stephens signs with the Eagles and never makes it to Pittsburgh. But maybe, just maybe he’ll see those family ties and want to play football with his cousin.

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Steelers to bring in cousin of CB Joey Porter Jr. for predraft visit

Ferris State’s Shon Stephens is one of the fastest defensive backs in the 2024 NFL draft.

According to NFL draft writer Ryan Fowler, Ferris State defensive back Shon Stephens is scheduled for a predraft visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stephens is the cousin of Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Stephens journey through college football to even get him to a point where he can have an NFL career is a remarkable one. Here’s how he described it in an interview.

My mom suffered a heart attack in 2020. I ended up leaving school to take care of her. I didn’t go to school or play football for two years. I was back home helping my mom.

When I came back to school, I wasn’t 80% toward my degree when I left. The NCAA denied a waiver for me to play at the D-I level as a result. I ended up graduating from West Liberty the following year. 

The NCAA decided to deny my waiver again due to my clock. I was trying to get that year back because my mom had a heart attack. I was hoping they’d be a bit more lenient over my situation. They did not understand why I stopped playing football to take care of my mom.

Stephens is undersized but lightning-fast. He’s a natural slot cornerback and the Steelers are in need of one. And of course we know the Steelers have no qualms about adding to current Steeler bloodlines.

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Small-school CB Shon Stephens stole the show at Michigan State’s pro day

Small-school CB Shon Stephens from Ferris State stole the show at Michigan State’s pro day

Late last week, 29 NFL teams made the trip to East Lansing for Michigan State’s pro day. The host school is on a down cycle right now and might not have a single player drafted in 2024, but the scouts and coaches on hand did see a draft-worthy player at the Spartans showcase.

That would be Ferris State cornerback Shon Stephens. The standout from the D-II powerhouse some 100 miles to the northwest put on an athletic show.

Stephens had already garnered some NFL intrigue after picking off eight passes, including a pick-six, in his one season for the Bulldogs after transferring from West Liberty. He was a Cliff Harris Award finalist and a D-II All-American for a program that has churned out several NFL defensive players over the last few years, including CB Tavierre Thomas.

After his workout, expect even more NFL and draft media attention.

From a scout in attendance, his tracked data of Stephens’ workout:

Height: 5-foot-8.5 inches

Weight: 173 pounds

40-yard dash: 4.38 seconds

Shuttle: 4.29 seconds

3-Cone: 6.99 seconds

Vertical jump: 36.5 inches

Broad jump: 10 feet

Stephens has a complicated back story. He is the nephew of longtime NFL LB Joey Porter and a cousin of Joey Porter Jr., a first-round pick in 2023. Stephens didn’t play for three seasons while tending to family issues and was denied transfer eligibility at Penn State in 2019 and Purdue in 2023 as a grad transfer. He chose Ferris State and backed up his eight INTs in 2022 with eight more at a new school and new scheme in 2023.

His size is a limiting factor, but the ball production and athletic ability could sneak Stephens into the final round of the 2024 NFL draft.