[1] Stephens started attending the University of Tennessee in 2006 and began playing football in 2008 under head coach Phillip Fulmer.

He started six of the seven games he played in, with a record of 63 completions in 130 attempts, gaining 840 yards and four touchdowns to go along with three interceptions.

[3] Under new head coach Lane Kiffin, he was used as a backup quarterback to Jonathan Crompton in 2009, completing 9-of-13 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown.

[4] In 2010, Stephens transferred to Tarleton State, completing 132-of-258 passes for 1,774 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games.

[7][8] Stephens signed with the Titans on April 30, 2012, as a rookie free agent.