At Farmington High School, Stephens was named Class AA All-State in basketball and football. He earned 11 letters and served as student body president his senior year. After his first year at WVU, Stephens was switched from wide receiver to tight end during spring drills his sophomore year. That spring, he caught 10 passes for 208 yards. That year as a split end he caught 16 passes for 364 yards. His 65-yard reception at Maryland was the team's longest if the season. As a junior he caught 24 passes for 393 yards (most on the team) and two touchdowns. Named to ECAC weekly All-Star team November 30 for his play against Syracuse (9 receptions, 145 yards, one touchdown). He wore the number 88 like Oscar Patrick. Stephens was considered to have a good pair of hands and had the ability to get yardage after hauling in aerials and was also thought to be very tough to tackle from behind.