Standout Ferris State All-America defensive back Shon Stephens and Bulldog two-sport alum Mason Pline are hoping to take their game to the highest level after connecting the National Football League teams following this week’s NFL Draft.
Stephens accepted a rookie minicamp invite from the Philadelphia Eagles and Pline agreed to a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
In his lone season as a Bulldog, Stephens was named to the 2023 American Football Coaches Association All-America squad as announced by the national coaches organization.
The Bakersfield, Calif. native was chosen as an AFCA All-America Second Team choice, representing the ninth consecutive year the Bulldogs had at least one AFCA All-America selection - the longest active streak in the country.
Stephens also was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award presented to the nation's top small college defensive player.
Stephens was chosen this year to the Division II Conference Commission
The 89th annual National Football League Draft takes place this weekend in Detroit and former Ferris State University football standouts are hoping to hear their names called or be contacted as potential free agent pickups following the annual event.
The Bulldogs have several players who completed their eligibility this past fall, leading FSU to a nation-leading ninth consecutive playoff appearance and hoping to make the jump to professional football.
Defensive back Shon Stephens, defensive end Olalere Oladipo and wide receiver Xavier Wade are receiving the strongest attention. All have either spent the past several months training for an opportunity, taken part in pro day events or been pegged on various draft boards.
Former quarterback Mylik Mitchell has already started his pro career in the Indoor Football League while other alums such as defensive end Ian Hall and slot receiver CJ Jefferson have also been listed among players competing for training camp opportunities.
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Ferris State University senior defensive back Shon Stephens (Bakersfield, Calif.) was recently named to the 2023 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America squad as announced by the national coaches organization.
Stephens was chosen as an AFCA All-America Second Team choice and it represents the ninth consecutive year the Bulldogs have had at least one AFCA All-America selection, which is the longest active streak in the country.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves. Beginning in 2018, the AFCA has started selecting a first and second team and voting is done by member head coaches.
The AFCA's Division II?All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of wh
Limited tickets remain for the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 30, on the FSU campus.
Seven former standout student-athletes representing six different sports programs comprise the star-studded Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class, which was originally voted in back in 2020 before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event.
The 2023 class, which will represent the school's 13th class of inductees, includes: Jeff Blashill (Hockey, 1994-98), Lucy (DeMartin) Prior (Women's Basketball, 2000-04), Dannie Hayes (Men's Basketball, 1991-95), Tianna Kirkland (Women's Basketball/Track & Field, 1997-01), Brad Morris (Wrestling, 1985-89), Jason Vander Laan (Football, 2012-15) and the late Gideon Smith (Football, 1910-11), who is likely to be represented by his grandson John Belcher.
The B
On top of all the records and achievements TJ Cole has made during his four-year collegiate career at Ouachita Baptist University, he has a chance to etch his name into history once again.