Desman Stephens II

CAREER: Throughout his two-year career, he has recorded 102 tackles, including 4 for loss of 7 yards, with 2 forced fumbles, 2 QB hurries and 1 INT while appearing in 26 games with 13 starts.

2026: Stephens II returns as an experienced linebacker as a junior in 2026.

2025: Stephens II recorded 89 tackles, including 3 for loss of 6 yards, 1 forced fumble and 1 QB hurry while appearing and starting in all 13 games as a sophomore in 2025.

He had 4 tackles versus Missouri State and 2 against Georgia Southern. He recorded 5 tackles versus Purdue and 5 tackles against Michigan State. He tallied 9 tackles versus Illinois and 5 tackles and 1 QB hurry against Michigan. He collected 10 tackles versus Notre Dame and another 10 tackles against Nebraska. He notched 3 tackles versus Northwestern and 7 tackles against Iowa. He had a career-high 17 tackles, including 1 for loss of 4 yards, versus Oregon and 6 tackles against UCLA. He recorded 6 tackles, including a career-high 2 for loss of 2 yards and 2 forced fumble in the Alamo Bowl versus TCU.

2024: Stephens II saw action in all 13 games as a freshman linebacker in 2024. He totaled 13 tackles (8 solo, 5 assisted), including 1 for a loss of 1 yard, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT returned for 42 yards, as well as 1 QB hurry.

Stephens II had 2 tackles and 1 forced fumble against Utah State. He tallied 1 tackle and 1 INT returned for 42 yards against Penn State. He recorded 2 tackles, including 1 for a loss of 1 yard, versus Maryland. He had 2 tackles against Rutgers and 2 tackles versus Washington. He recorded 1 tackle against Nebraska and 1 quarterback hurry versus UCLA. Stephens recorded 3 tackles in the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M.

HIGH SCHOOL: Stephens II, a four-star recruit, was rated as the No. 6 player in the state of Michigan by On3, No. 9 by ESPN and 247Sports and No. 11 by Rivals. He was touted as the No. 14 linebacker in the nation by Rivals, No. 24 by On3, No. 32 by 247Sports and No. 43 by ESPN. He was invited to play in the

U.S. Army All-American Bowl: .

During his senior year at Clarkston (Mich.) HS as a three-way player, he collected 88 tackles, 3 INTs, 6 PBUs 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. On offense, he tallied 614 rushing yards on 64 carries (9.6 avg.) with 9 TDs and had 26 receptions for 415 yards (16.0 avg.) with 4 TDs. On special teams, he recorded 5 punt returns for 124 yards (24.8 avg.) and 1 TD and 11 kick returns for 268 yards (24.4 avg.). He earned placement on the

2023 Free Press:

All:

-:

North First Team: , the

2023 Michigan Associated Press Division 1-2 All-State First Team: , the

SB Michigan All-State First Team: , the

2023 AP Michigan All-State First Team: and the

2023 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-State First Team: . He also was named to the

2023 Prep RedZone Michigan Division I Preseason All-State Defense: .

As a junior in 2022, he recorded 98 tackles, including 11 TFLs (with 2 sacks), 4 INTs (1 returned for a TD), 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Offensively, he tallied 17 receptions for 325 yards (19.1 avg.) and 6 TDs and 100 rushing yards on 18 carries (5.6 avg.) with 1 TD. He was named to the

2022 Oakland Activities Association Red All-League First Team: , the

2022 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Region First Team: , the

2022 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-State First Team: , the

2022 Prep RedZone Division 1 All-State Team: , the

2022 Prep RedZone Defense Dream Team: , the

2022 Oakland AP Division I Second Team: , the

2022 Detroit All-North Football Team: and was selected as the

MLive Metro Detroit Dream Team All-Purpose Player: . Stephens was invited to the

2022 Under Armour Next Camp Series: and was named to the

2022 PrepRedZone Preseason D1 All-State Team: .

As a sophomore in 2021, he recorded 60 tackles and 3 INTs. On offense, had 3 receptions for 101 yards (33.7 avg.) and 1 TD.

He was also a three-year member of the varsity basketball team at Clarkston. During his 2022-23 junior season, Stephens, who helped the team to win a district championship, was the

team captain: and

team MVP: , was named to the

All-North First Team: ,

Oakland Activities Association Red All-League Team: and the

Detroit All-State Second Team: .

PERSONAL: He is majoring in Real Estate Development at USC.