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UCLA — Jason is one of the few seniors among the secondary performers and will be expected to provide leadership to this group … He is an aggressive tackler, pursues well to the football and has good size … He could play a key role on defense, if he can perform on a consistent basis … Should also contribute on special teams.
2000 — As a redshirt junior, Stephens appeared in eight games, including seven on defense … He saw most of his action in nickel and dime packages … He played at least 10 snaps in each of the first five games, including 21 against Arizona State, 19 versus Alabama and 17 against Fresno State … His late-game interception and 28-yard return clinched the victory against Michigan … He made five tackles on the year and broke up two passes … He was credited with two tackles versus Fresno State.
1999 — Appeared in all 11 games … Started the Boise State game at strong safety and made four tackles that evening … Made a season-high five stops in the Ohio State contest … On the year, he made 17 tackles … Played at least 49 defensive snaps in each of the first three games, including 64 versus Boise State and 63 at Ohio State … Also contributed on several of the special teams units, including kickoff, kickoff return and punt return.
1998 — Stephens made an impact in his first season of action … Started the final seven games of the year at strong safety, moving into the lineup at California … On the year, he made 58 tackles, including five for losses, to rank sixth on the squad … Also forced two fumbles and recovered a pair and made one interception … He played at least 50 snaps in all of his starts except the Rose Bowl, including 83 at Oregon State, 76 versus USC and 71 at California … He also played on the kickoff coverage and field goal block special teams units … Stephens made a career-high 11 tackles, including one for loss, in the game at Miami … He finished the year with five stops and broke up one pass versus Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl … In the Pac-10 finale against USC, he made four tackles, including one for loss … He also recovered two fumbles against the Trojans, returning one 27 yards to set up a field goal, forced a fumble and made the first interception of his career … He was credited with eight stops, including two for losses, at California in his first career start … He made six stops the following week against Stanford, five at Oregon State and nine at Washington.
1997 — Did not see action in his first year with the Bruins.
HIGH SCHOOL — Played football for three seasons at Redlands, CA High School for coach Jim Walker … PrepStar All-American as the No. 6 defensive back in the West … Selected All-Far West by SuperPrep … Named to the L.A. Times All-Inland Valley, All-CIF, All-County and all-league teams as both a senior and junior … Served as team captain in his senior season … Credited with 30 solo tackles, five interceptions, nine deflected passes and two quarterback sacks as a senior … Returned two punts for touchdowns … As a junior, he made 57 solo tackles, two interceptions, two fumbles caused, two fumbles recovered and three pass deflections … Also lettered in track and field for coach Dennis Kennedy — competed in the 110 hurdles, the 300 intermediate hurdles and the 400 meters.
PERSONAL — Full Name: Jason Henry Stephens … Born: May 23, 1979 in Compton, CA … Parents: James Stephens (deceased); Vickie Ross and stepfather, Joseph Ross … Has two brothers … Lists former NFL All-Pro safety Ronnie Lott as the athlete he patterns his style of play after … Hobbies include martial arts, dancing, weightlifting and playing the drums … Considering a career as a teacher … History major.
Varsity Statistics - J. Stephens
Tackles
|
Year |
TT |
T-AT |
Sacks |
TFL |
INT |
|
1998 |
58 |
35-23 |
1-5 |
5-16 |
1-2 |
|
1999 |
17 |
13-4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2000 |
5 |
3-2 |
0 |
0 |
1-28 |
|
Totals |
80 |
51-29 |
1-5 |
5-16 |
2-30 |
Interception Returns
|
Year |
No |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Lg |
|
1998 |
1 |
2 |
2.0 |
0 |
2 |
|
2000 |
1 |
28 |
28.0 |
0 |
28 |
|
Totals |
2 |
30 |
15.0 |
0 |
28 |
Career Highs
Tackles: 11 vs. Miami, 1998; 8 vs. California, 1998
