A converted running back who became a durable, every-down cornerback across four seasons as a starter in Baltimore.
Brandon Stephens signed with the Jets in 2025 after four years as a starting defensive back for the Ravens. He took an unusual path to cornerback, switching over from running back at UCLA before transferring to SMU, where he transformed into one of the top defensive players in the country.
Path to the league
Stephens began his college career as a running back at UCLA before transferring to SMU as a graduate student and converting to cornerback. He quickly became the Mustangs' top defensive back, leading the team in passes broken up, and the Baltimore Ravens drafted him in the third round, 104th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Stephens started as a rookie free safety before moving back to cornerback in 2022. He broke out in 2023 with 16 starts, 74 tackles and two interceptions, then started all 17 games in 2024 with 70 tackles and 10 pass deflections for the Ravens.
2025 season recap
Stephens signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the New York Jets in March 2025. He started 16 games at cornerback for New York, recording 73 tackles, nine pass deflections, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Brandon Stephens (American football, born 1997)
- Pro Football Reference: Brandon Stephens
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
16 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | jets | 16 | 73 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 2024 | ravens | 17 | 70 | 59 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 | ravens | 16 | 74 | 57 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2022 | ravens | 15 | 37 | 31 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | ravens | 17 | 78 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- SMU
- Hometown
- Plano, TX, USA
- Age
- 28
- Status
- active
