Desman Stephens II is an American college football linebacker who plays for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. A native of Clarkston, Michigan, he emerged as one of USC’s leading defensive players after arriving as a highly rated four-star recruit from Clarkston High School. By his junior season in 2026, he had become a starting linebacker and a leader of the Trojans’ defense.
Stephens built his reputation through his production at Clarkston before moving to USC in 2024. During his sophomore season in 2025, he started all 13 games and recorded 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry. USC entered the 2026 season describing him as the returning leader of its linebacker group.
In September 2026, Stephens became the subject of national college-football attention after a targeting incident involving Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. During USC’s September 26 game against Oregon, Stephens was ejected after making a late hit on Moore as the quarterback slid. Moore was taken from the field by ambulance, while Stephens’ conduct immediately after the play generated additional criticism. USC subsequently suspended Stephens for one game and he issued an apology through the university.
Desman Stephens II Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Desman Stephens II |
| Profession | College football player |
| Position | Linebacker |
| Team | USC Trojans |
| Jersey Number | 8 |
| Class | Junior |
| Hometown | Clarkston, Michigan |
| High School | Clarkston High School |
| College | University of Southern California |
| Major | Real Estate Development |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| 2025 Tackles | 89 |
| 2025 Starts | 13 |
| 2025 Tackles for Loss | 3 |
| 2025 Forced Fumbles | 1 |
| 2024 Interception | 1 |
| Religion | Not reliably disclosed |
| Nationality | American |
| @desmanstephensll | |
| Current Status | USC junior linebacker |
| 2026 Suspension | One game following September 26 targeting incident |
Desman Stephens II Early Life
Desman Stephens II grew up in Clarkston, Michigan, where he attended Clarkston High School. He developed into a multi-sport athlete and was particularly productive on the football field. USC’s recruiting profile describes him as a three-way player during his senior season, contributing on defense, offense and special teams.
As a junior at Clarkston in 2022, Stephens recorded 98 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also intercepted four passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two more. On offense, he recorded 17 receptions for 325 yards and six touchdowns while adding 100 rushing yards and another touchdown.
His senior season further established him as one of Michigan’s leading high-school football prospects. He recorded 88 tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also rushed for 614 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns. His performance earned him multiple Michigan all-state honors and an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Desman Stephens II Education
Stephens attended Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Michigan. His performances there made him a four-star recruit and placed him among the more highly regarded prospects in the state. USC’s recruiting announcement said he was rated as high as No. 6 in Michigan by On3 and No. 9 by ESPN and 247Sports.
He enrolled at the University of Southern California in January 2024 and began his collegiate football career with the Trojans. USC’s roster identifies his academic field as Real Estate Development, connecting his athletic career with studies at the USC Price School of Public Policy.
Outside football, Stephens has also maintained interests in basketball, fashion and video games. A profile from his sports representation agency described him as a basketball player during high school and noted that he enjoys spending time with family, friends and teammates.
Desman Stephens II Career
Desman Stephens II entered USC as a four-star recruit after an outstanding career at Clarkston High School. His recruiting evaluations placed him among the leading linebacker prospects nationally, with Rivals ranking him No. 14 at the position and other recruiting services also placing him within their national linebacker rankings. He was invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl before beginning his college career.
As a freshman in 2024, Stephens appeared in all 13 games for USC. He finished the season with 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and one quarterback hurry according to USC’s current career record. His interception came against Penn State and was returned 42 yards.
His role expanded considerably in 2025. Stephens started all 13 games and recorded 89 tackles, including three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry. His 89 tackles ranked as the most productive season of his USC career at that point. He recorded double-digit tackles against Notre Dame and Nebraska and produced a career-high 17 tackles against Oregon.
Entering the 2026 season, USC identified Stephens as the leader of its linebacker group. He returned as a junior and remained a starter in the Trojans’ defense. Through the first four games listed in his 2026 game log, he recorded 17 tackles and half a sack, including seven tackles against Rutgers.
Stephens’ development also placed him on the radar as a future professional football prospect. His size, experience and production have made him a significant part of USC’s defense, although his eventual NFL prospects will depend on his remaining college performances and professional evaluation.
Desman Stephens II Trending in September 2026: Suspended After Targeting Hit on Oregon Quarterback Dante Moore
Desman Stephens II became a major topic in college football on September 26, 2026, during USC’s game against the Oregon Ducks at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. During the second quarter, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore scrambled beyond the first-down marker and began a slide. Stephens continued toward him and made contact with Moore’s head and upper body. Officials ruled the play targeting and ejected Stephens from the game.
Moore remained on the field for several minutes while medical personnel attended to him before he was transported by ambulance to Los Angeles General Medical Center. Reports said he had movement in his extremities. Subsequent reporting indicated that Moore was believed to have suffered a concussion and would enter concussion protocol, although his medical status remained subject to further evaluation.
Stephens’ actions after the hit became another major part of the controversy. Television footage showed him celebrating and interacting with teammates after the play while Moore was still being treated. The incident generated widespread criticism from fans, commentators and former players, with some describing the post-play conduct as particularly inappropriate.
USC responded on September 27 by suspending Stephens for one game. Head coach Lincoln Riley called Stephens’ actions unacceptable, while Stephens issued an apology expressing empathy for Moore and his family. The suspension means he is unavailable for USC’s following game against Washington.
The incident also raised discussion about whether additional disciplinary action could follow under Big Ten rules. USC’s own suspension is separate from the automatic in-game ejection that resulted from the targeting call.
Desman Stephens II Personal Life
Stephens II has kept much of his personal life away from the public spotlight. His public profiles focus primarily on football, academics, teammates and his development as a collegiate athlete. USC identifies Clarkston, Michigan, as his hometown.
Outside football, he has been described as someone who enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He has also maintained interests in basketball, fashion and video games. His sports representation profile says he became the reigning team champion of the EA Sports College Football video game, giving an indication of his interests away from the field.
There is limited reliable public information about Stephens’ romantic relationships, children or other private family matters. His current public profile is primarily that of a college athlete preparing for his junior season at USC.
Desman Stephens II Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Desman Stephens II is listed by USC as a junior linebacker from Clarkston, Michigan. His exact date of birth has not been reliably published by USC or another authoritative source, so a precise age cannot be independently confirmed. He is generally understood to be in his early 20s during the 2026 college football season.
His religion has not been reliably documented in authoritative public sources. Although some athlete biographies may describe him as Christian, there is insufficient primary-source evidence to establish his personal religious affiliation. He is American by nationality and represents the USC Trojans in the Big Ten Conference.
USC officially lists Stephens at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 metres) and 250 pounds (113 kilograms). His size, broad frame and physical build are characteristic of a Division I linebacker. His official roster information therefore differs from the supplied 5-foot-11 estimate.
Desman Stephens II Net Worth
Desman Stephens II does not have a reliably established public net-worth figure. As a college athlete, his financial situation is different from that of an established professional football player because he has not yet entered the NFL and his private assets, earnings and expenses are not publicly disclosed.
Stephens is eligible to benefit from the modern college sports name, image and likeness system. USC-affiliated NIL merchandise is publicly sold using his name, and the official NIL platform states that participating athletes receive money from qualifying purchases. However, the existence of NIL merchandise does not reveal how much Stephens personally earns from NIL agreements.
Some third-party websites publish estimated NIL valuations for Stephens. One such model recently estimated his NIL valuation at about $424,730, but that figure is explicitly a proprietary estimate rather than a disclosed contract or guaranteed payment. It should therefore not be presented as his net worth or confirmed annual income.
Desman Stephens II Legacy
Although still early in his football career, Stephens has already established a substantial record at the high-school and collegiate levels. His Clarkston career included more than 200 tackles across his final three seasons, multiple interceptions and significant contributions on offense and defense. His performances helped make him a nationally recruited prospect.
At USC, his progression from freshman contributor to starting linebacker has been notable. His 89 tackles in 2025 established him as one of the Trojans’ most productive defenders, and USC entered the 2026 season identifying him as the leader of its linebacker group.
The September 2026 Oregon incident is now an important part of his public record. The targeting ejection, the subsequent criticism of his conduct and USC’s one-game suspension created significant attention around a player whose collegiate career had previously been defined primarily by his defensive production. His future career will continue to develop within the context of both his football achievements and the disciplinary consequences of the incident.
Conclusion
Desman Stephens II is a USC junior linebacker from Clarkston, Michigan, who developed from a highly regarded high-school recruit into one of the Trojans’ leading defensive players. His 89-tackle sophomore season established him as an important part of USC’s defense, while his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame and continued development have made him a notable college football player. His profile changed significantly in September 2026 after his targeting ejection during USC’s game against Oregon and the subsequent one-game suspension imposed by USC following the hit on quarterback Dante Moore. As he continues his collegiate career, Stephens’ football development, academic work in real estate development and future opportunities in the sport will remain central to his public profile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Desman Stephens II
Who is Desman Stephens II?
Desman Stephens II is an American college football linebacker who plays for the USC Trojans.
What position does Desman Stephens II play?
He plays linebacker for USC.
How tall is Desman Stephens II?
USC officially lists Desman Stephens II at 6 feet 3 inches, or approximately 1.91 metres.
How much does Desman Stephens II weigh?
USC lists him at 250 pounds, approximately 113 kilograms.
Where is Desman Stephens II from?
He is from Clarkston, Michigan, and attended Clarkston High School.
What were Desman Stephens II’s 2025 statistics?
In 2025, Stephens started all 13 USC games and recorded 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry.
What happened between Desman Stephens II and Dante Moore?
During USC’s September 26, 2026 game against Oregon, Stephens was ejected for targeting after hitting Oregon quarterback Dante Moore as Moore slid during a run. Moore was taken from the field by ambulance.
Was Desman Stephens II suspended?
Yes. USC announced a one-game suspension for Stephens on September 27, 2026, following the incident involving Moore.
Why was Desman Stephens II criticized after the hit?
Television footage showed Stephens celebrating and interacting with teammates after the play while Moore was receiving medical attention. The footage prompted widespread criticism and was cited by USC when addressing the incident.
What does Desman Stephens II study at USC?
USC lists his major as Real Estate Development.