Bearcats Freshman Profile; Linden Stephens

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Prunty used his Virginia prep school connections to land the talented Linden Stephens. The decision to play for the Bearcats actually brings Stephens closer to his Euclid, Ohio home.

The Essentials

  • High School: Fork Union Military Academy
  • Position: Cornerback
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Weight: 185
  • Composite Rank*: 80 (***)

* As determined by 24/7 sports composite algorithm which combines and weights the rankings of 24/7, Rivals, Scout and ESPN to come up with one number.

It should be obvious by now, but this particular Bearcats staff loves rangy defensive backs. Stephens is another such player in the class of 2014. He is not as tall or rangy as Davon Witherspoon or JJ Pinckney, but he is plenty big for a corner.

His speed is not elite, but he has a couple of good breaks on the ball in the video above. The one thing that the video does not show is how Stephens plays in press. For the most part he is matched up with inside receivers as a safety. When he is playing as a corner he is playing off the line of scrimmage.

There is a chance that Stephens can play for the Bearcats this year. Unlike Witherspoon and Pinckney Stephens has been with the program since January. The simple act of going through spring ball gives him a leg up on his classmates.

Team Shop

  • Under Armour Cincinnati Bearcats Heather Gray Quarter-Zip Performance Jacket
    $54.99 Buy Now navigateright
  • Under Armour Cincinnati Bearcats Black 2016 Sideline Microstripe Performance T-Shirt
    $39.99 Buy Now navigateright
  • Under Armour Cincinnati Bearcats White 2016 On-Field Tech T-Shirt
    $29.99 Buy Now navigateright