Report: Eagles Closing in on a Deal to Sign a Super Bowl Champion Nephew Following Outstanding Minicamp
Cornerback Shon Stephens is joining the Philadelphia Eagles after making a strong impression at their rookie minicamp.
On May 3 and 4, Philadelphia had its yearly rookie minicamp, and the team must have been impressed with the former Ferris State starter. On May 6, Andrew DiCecco of Inside the Birds broke the news of the deal.
Shortly after, Stephens confirmed it with a post on his X account.
Stephens is descended from two football players: current Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and his nephew, retired linebacker Joey Porter, who won a Super Bowl.
Stephens attended California’s Bakersfield College, a junior college, to start his undergraduate career before moving to West Liberty, a Division II university in West Virginia. In his 11 games as a player for West Liberty, he recorded 37 total tackles, 8 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups before going to Ferris State, another Division II university, the next year.
Stephens concluded last season with 11 games played with Ferris State with a total of 25 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 4 pass breakups.
After his mother suffered a heart attack, Stephens had to skip the 2020 season to assist with her care. He had been planning to move to Purdue again after the school expressed interest in him. He had committed to the Boilermakers for the 2023 campaign, but the NCAA rejected his request for a personal hardship eligibility waiver.
The product of Bakersfield, California, is utilizing the fact that he was never given the chance to play for a Division I university as a mitigating factor.
According to Bakersfield Now, Stephens declared, “I’m going to just go out there and ball and play with that chip on my shoulder.” Instead of being at the D1 level, I was at the D2 level. I have to prove myself again because those guys are not the same.
Stephens is a little man at 5’9″ and 175 pounds, but he has some interesting characteristics. When he showcased his skill set at Michigan State’s Pro Day in March, he made a strong impression. He recorded a fast 40-yard sprint time of 4.38 seconds in addition to a 36.5-inch vertical leap. Additionally, he’s had the chance to learn from his uncle, a five-time All-Pro in Porter.
Stephens and Joey Porter Sr., his uncle, have made up.
Although Stephens has little chance of making the Eagles’ 53-man roster, he can definitely secure a spot on the practice squad.
The Eagles have two veteran corners in Darius Slay and James Bradberry who command significant salaries. This year, Philadelphia selected CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean with two of its best draft choices. Avonte Maddox is still with the team, while veteran wide receiver C.J. Gardner-Johnson was also brought back. Gardner-Johnson is expected to play a significant part in the secondary.
With more experience, Stephens will face opponents like Isaiah Rodgers, Zech McPhearson, and Kelee Ringo.
However, don’t undervalue the benefit of having a player as a mentor who has Porter’s resume.
About Porter Sr., Stephens stated, “We always lift in the weight room,” as reported by Steelers Now. “In the house, he has a dedicated weight room.” Joey Porter Jr., my brothers, and my other cousin Jacob all compete with each other in the weight room by pushing one another. Even Porter Sr.’s Big Joey enters and lifts. All of us are genuinely competitive.
In a room full of talented cornerbacks, we’ll see how well that competitive mentality suits the young DB.
