An under-the-radar transfer prospect appears to have the Bruins high up on his checklist.

West Freedom University cornerback Shon Stephens got in the transfer site as a graduate transfer on Dec. 6 as well as began the acquire Power 5 and also Division I offers not long after. Although Stephens has yet to publicly expose a deal from UCLA football, Virginia Tech blog The Technology Lunch Container has actually reported that the 6-foot Department II All-American is headed to Westwood for an official see on April 1.

The Hokies will certainly host Stephens for a check out a week later on April 8, while Indiana, Rutgers as well as Troy are likewise apparently greatly involved in his recruitment. Stephens has actually announced added deals from Central Michigan, Sacred Heart, Albany, Tarleton and also Incarnate Word.

Stephens, who is initially from Bakersfield, attended Bakersfield College for junior college from 2017 to 2019. He transferred to Missouri Southern State in 2020, however went into the transfer site once again and took the period off after his mommy experienced a cardiovascular disease.

In August 2021, Stephens announced his walk-on dedication to Penn State, yet he never ever wore for the Nittany Lions as a result of scholastic progress eligibility problems. Stephens chose rather to visit West Freedom in West Virginia, and also he still has one year of qualification staying because of at all times off.

Throughout the 2022 season at West Liberty, Stephens tallied a Division II-high 8 interceptions while also accumulating 37 deals with, 3.0 takes on for loss and 14 pass deflections. Stephens was additionally a kick returner, averaging 21.7 yards on his 30 returns.

Stephens told The Technology Lunch Container that he plans on choosing on his commitment in May. However, the All-MEC selection added that depending on just how forthcoming check outs go, a choice could get here sooner.

UCLA has actually currently obtained one commitment from a non-Division I player for the class of 2023. Cabrillo College security Zeke Thomas committed to the Bruins on March 11 for Ottawa University, Missouri Valley University, South Dakota School of Mines and Lincoln College.

The secondary has been an area of fancy blue and gold throughout the Chip Kelly age in Westwood. Kelly generated cornerbacks train Kodi Whitfield from Sacramento State to split additional responsibilities with Brian Norwood, that moved to primarily concentrate on safety and securities.

Along with new protective organizer D'Anton Lynn-- who was a defensive backs instructor in the NFL-- Stephens could be obtaining hired by a host of new Bruin trains.

UCLA is the only California school to publicly be in the hunt for Stephens' commitment and can have a mild edge with the veteran gamer's origins in the area.