Travis Stephens

{{Infobox NFL biography

| image =

| caption =

| position = Running back

| number = 36

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|6|26}}

| birth_place = Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.

| death_date =

| height_ft = 5

| weight_lbs = 194

| height_in = 8

| draftyear = 2002

| draftround = 4

| draftpick = 119

| high_school = Northeast (Clarksville)

| college = Tennessee

| teams =

| highlights =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 1

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 6

| statlabel3 = Touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 0

| pfr = StepTr01

}}

Travis Tremaine Stephens (born June 26, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, earning first-team All-American after setting the school's single-season record for rushing yards (1,464) in 2001. He played one season in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected by the team in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=Travis Stephens Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StepTr01.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411231921/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StepTr01.htm |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Early life

Stephens attended Northeast High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. He played football for Northeast.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=George |date=October 19, 2018 |title=Northeast quarterback, running back wearing jersey numbers of former standouts Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Travis Stephens for crucial region game |url=https://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/10/19/high-school-football-northeast-football-stars-wearing-jalen-reeves-maybin-travis-stephens-jerseys/1701570002/ |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=The Leaf-Chronicle |language=en-US |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416214232/https://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/10/19/high-school-football-northeast-football-stars-wearing-jalen-reeves-maybin-travis-stephens-jerseys/1701570002/ |url-status=live }} He was a three-year starter at wingback and tailback on offense and linebacker and safety on defense. He rushed for a school-record 2,550 yards and 23 touchdowns in his junior season. In addition, he recorded 87 tackles and two interceptions as a free safety on defense. As a senior, he rushed for 991 yards and eight touchdowns despite having to deal with an ankle injury.{{Cite web |title=34 TRAVIS STEPHENS |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tenn/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/stephens.pdf |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=CBS Sports Network |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729223217/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tenn/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/stephens.pdf |url-status=dead }} Stephens committed to the University of Tennessee to play college football under head coach Phillip Fulmer.{{Cite web |last=Staples |first=Andy |date=June 22, 2014 |title=The story behind Tennessee's landmark 2014 recruiting class |url=https://www.si.com/college/2014/06/22/tennessee-volunteers-national-signing-day |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102012409/https://www.si.com/college/2014/06/22/tennessee-volunteers-national-signing-day |url-status=live }}

College career

=1997 season=

In Stephens's freshman season with the Volunteers, he was part of a strong backfield that contained Jamal Lewis and Shawn Bryson. On the season, he recorded nine rushes for 36 yards.{{Cite web |title=1997 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1997.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730030222/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1997.html |url-status=live }} In the 1998 Orange Bowl loss to Nebraska, Stephens did not record any statistics but did appear late in the game. Tennessee scored a touchdown late and on the two-point conversion, Stephens caught a pass from quarterback Tee Martin in the fourth quarter.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 1998 |title=1998 Orange Bowl |url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=170 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Nebraska Cornhuskers Athletics |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730014824/http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=170 |url-status=live }}

=1998 season=

In Stephens's sophomore season, he saw more work despite being in a crowded backfield with Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, and Shawn Bryson. He would record 107 rushes for 477 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, he had two receptions for three yards in regular season play.{{Cite web |title=1998 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1998.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |publisher=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102043548/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1998.html |url-status=live }} Tennessee completed an undefeated 13–0 season in the 1998 season.{{Cite web |title=1998 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1998-schedule.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120649/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1998-schedule.html |url-status=live }} The season culminated in the Fiesta Bowl where the Volunteers defeated the Florida State Seminoles by a score of 23–16.{{Cite web |last=Markus |first=Don |date=January 5, 1999 |title=Tenn. 1-ups Florida State; Magical 13–0 Vols make doubts vanish with 23–16 victory 79-yard Price TD seals it; UT unanimous choice in AP vote; Ohio St. 2nd |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-01-05-9901051001-story.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102012706/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-01-05-9901051001-story.html |url-status=live }} In the National Championship, Stephens had 13 carries for 60 yards.{{Cite web |title=28th Annual Fiesta Bowl – Fiesta Bowl |url=https://fiestabowl.org/game-history/fiesta-bowl/28th-annual-fiesta-bowl/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412034536/https://fiestabowl.org/game-history/fiesta-bowl/28th-annual-fiesta-bowl/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Fiesta Bowl}}

=1999 season=

Stephens was redshirted in the 1999 season due to continued trend of a crowded backfield.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2013 |title=Marcus Jackson, Travis Stephens, and 2015 |url=https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2013/10/9/4820310/marcus-jackson-travis-stephens-and-butch-jones-future-plans-for-the |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Rocky Top Talk |language=en |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209202937/https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2013/10/9/4820310/marcus-jackson-travis-stephens-and-butch-jones-future-plans-for-the |url-status=live }} With Stephens redshirting, Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry did most of the rushing for the Volunteers in 1999.{{Cite web |title=1999 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1999.html |access-date=July 29, 2017 |publisher=Sports Reference |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729231327/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/1999.html |url-status=live }}

=2000 season=

As a redshirt junior, Stephens entered the 2000 season with Travis Henry to form a solid combination of running backs for the 8–4 Volunteers.{{Cite web |title=2000 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2000-schedule.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120632/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2000-schedule.html |url-status=live }} On the season, he had 81 carries for 359 yards and seven touchdowns in regular season play. In addition, he had six receptions for 28 yards in regular season play.{{Cite web |title=2000 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2000.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026182733/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2000.html |url-status=live }}

=2001 season=

In his redshirt senior season, Stephens was the number one running back for the 11–2 Volunteers.{{Cite web |title=2001 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2001-schedule.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120938/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2001-schedule.html |url-status=live }} On the season, he had 291 rushes for a single-season school-record 1,464 yards and ten touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Travis Stephens – Football |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/travis-stephens/12209 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102013953/https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/travis-stephens/12209 |url-status=live }} In addition, he had 19 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown in regular season play.{{Cite web |title=2001 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2001.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026182936/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2001.html |url-status=live }} In the 2002 Florida Citrus Bowl, Stephens had 16 carries for 38 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one reception for 19 yards in the 45–17 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.{{Cite web |title=2002 Citrus Bowl, University of Michigan Athletics |url=https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/bowls/2002citr.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=University of Michigan |archive-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927093926/http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/bowls/2002citr.htm |url-status=live }} He earned All-American honors for the 2001 season.

In his collegiate career at Tennessee, Stephens had 488 rushes for 2,338 yards and 21 touchdowns in regular season play. In addition, he recorded 27 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown in regular season play.{{Cite web |title=Travis Stephens College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/travis-stephens-1.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921195100/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/travis-stephens-1.html |url-status=live }}

=Statistics=

class="wikitable" ! colspan="3" \|Travis Stephens ! colspan="4" \|Rushing ! colspan="4" \|Receiving
Year ! School ! Conference ! Rushing ! Rushing Yards ! Average ! Touchdowns ! Receiving ! Receiving Yards ! Average ! Touchdowns
1997 \| Tennessee \| SEC \| 9 \| 36 \| 4.0 \| 0 \| 0 \| 0 \| 0 \| 0
1998 \| Tennessee \| SEC \| 107 \| 477 \| 4.5 \| 4 \| 2 \| 3 \| 1.5 \| 0
2000 \| Tennessee \| SEC \| 81 \| 359 \| 4.4 \| 7 \| 6 \| 28 \| 4.7 \| 0
2001 \| Tennessee \| SEC \| 291 \| 1,464 \| 5.0 \| 10 \| 19 \| 169 \| 8.9 \| 1
[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/travis-stephens-1.htm Career] \| \| \| 488 \| 2,336 \| 4.8 \| 21 \| 27 \| 200 \| 7.4 \| 1

class="wikitable"

! colspan="3" |Travis Stephens

! colspan="4" |Rushing

! colspan="4" |Receiving

Year

! School

! Conference

! Rushing

! Rushing Yards

! Average

! Touchdowns

! Receiving

! Receiving Yards

! Average

! Touchdowns

1997

| Tennessee

| SEC

| 9

| 36

| 4.0

| 0

1998

| Tennessee

| SEC

| 107

| 477

| 4.5

| 4

| 2

| 3

| 1.5

| 0

2000

| Tennessee

| SEC

| 81

| 359

| 4.4

| 7

| 6

| 28

| 4.7

| 0

2001

| Tennessee

| SEC

| 291

| 1,464

| 5.0

| 10

| 19

| 169

| 8.9

| 1

[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/travis-stephens-1.htm Career]

| 488

| 2,336

| 4.8

| 21

| 27

| 200

| 7.4

| 1

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 8 1/8

| weight = 194

| dash = 4.56

| ten split = 1.70

| twenty split = 2.73

| vertical = 32.0

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 1

| bench = 15

| arm span = 29 3/4

| hand span = 8 3/4

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=2696&DraftYear=2002 |title=Travis Stephens College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=July 11, 2024}}

}}

=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=

Stephens was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round with the 119th overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001104106/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |url-status=live }} In a game against the New Orleans Saints on September 8, he had one reception for six yards.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 8th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200209080tam.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730095642/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200209080tam.htm |url-status=live }} His one reception would be his only meaningful recorded statistic in his NFL career. He was considered part of the team when they won Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders. Stephens was released from the Buccaneers before the 2003 season.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2003 |title=Dudley, Stephens among Bucs' cuts |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/id/1606795 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730022302/http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/id/1606795 |url-status=live }}

=Houston Texans=

The Houston Texans signed Stephens to a futures contract before the 2004 season.{{Cite web |title=Travis Stephens, RB, Free Agent |url=http://www.kffl.com/player/1826/nfl |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=KFFL.com |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809222220/http://www.kffl.com/player/1826/nfl |url-status=live }} He was eventually allocated to NFL Europe and placed on their exempt/injured list.{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2005 |title=Texans Finish Third in AFC South and Set a Franchise Mark With Seven Wins |url=http://media.houstontexans.com/images/9057/press/2004SIR.pdf |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Houston Texans |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025181917/http://media.houstontexans.com/images/9057/press/2004SIR.pdf |url-status=live }} After this stint with the Texans, Stephens' professional career ended.

Personal life

Since his days as a football player, Stephens has continued to stay in the game. In 2017, he helped out with youth football camps in Jackson, Tennessee with some other Tennessee alumni.{{Cite web |last=Shields |first=Brandon |date=June 3, 2017 |title=Vols alumni help out with youth football camps in Jackson |url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/college/football/2017/06/03/vols-alumni-help-out-youth-football-camps-jackson/368204001/ |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=The Jackson Sun |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416214237/https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/college/football/2017/06/03/vols-alumni-help-out-youth-football-camps-jackson/368204001/ |url-status=live }}

References

External links

[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/travis-stephens-1.html Collegiate statistics at Sports-Reference.com]
[https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/travis-stephens/12209 Tennessee Volunteers bio]

Category:1978 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football running backs

Category:Houston Texans players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players

Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players

Category:Sportspeople from Clarksville, Tennessee

Category:Players of American football from Tennessee