Stephens appeared in one game in 2021 before taking a
redshirt for the season. In 2022, he played in 12 games,
starting in 10, at
right guard. He played in five games in 2023 Stephens started in 12 games in 2024 at
left guard, Stephens started at left guard in all 12 games in 2025. The
Associated Press named him a first-team
All-American and he was also named an All-American by
Pro Football Focus and
USA Today. Stephens was the highest-rated
guard in a
power conference by Pro Football Focus and was Iowa's highest-rated player by the same metric. He accepted an invitation to the
2026 Senior Bowl. ==Professional career==