Following his successful tryout at Rookie Minicamp, the Eagles have signed cornerback Shon Stephens.
Stephens (5-8, 173 pounds) led the nation in interceptions (16) over the last two seasons. He had eight last season for Ferris State and eight in 2022 for West Liberty.
In 2023, the Bakersfield, California native was the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Back of the Year and a first-team All-GLIAC player for the Division II powerhouse. Stephens was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award which honors the best defensive player from a small college.
Just like Eagles first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell, Stephens had a four-interception game (September 9, 2022 vs. Alderson Broaddus) in 2022. He was selected to the first-team All-Mountain East Conference that year.
Stephens impressed scouts while attending Michigan State's Pro Day on March 13. His 4.38 40-yard dash would have been tied for fifth among cornerbacks at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and his 6.99 3-cone drill would have been tied for fourth among cornerbacks.
The cornerback began his college career in 2017 at Bakersfield College, but missed multiple seasons while caring for his mother after she suffered a heart attack in 2020.
Stephens is the nephew of 13-year NFL veteran Joey Porter Sr. and the cousin of Steelers cornerback and 2022 first-round pick Joey Porter Jr.