May 7, 2013
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Former Cal fullback Eric Stevens has signed as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams the NFL team confirmed Tuesday. The official announcement of Stevens' and all of the other Rams' undrafted free agent signings is expected to be made by the club later in the week.
"I'm very excited to play for the St. Louis Rams," Stevens said. "I am extremely blessed with this opportunity. It is a dream come true."
Stevens, who is the younger brother former Cal tight end Craig Stevens now in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, played in 35 games with 10 starts during his five seasons at Cal from 2008-12 that included two campaigns out of action due to injury in 2011 and a redshirt campaign as a true freshman in 2008. Stevens contributed career totals of 14 rushes for 53 yards, nine catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, and one kick return for 11 yards as he finished with 146 all purpose yards. He also made 12 tackles.
Stevens played in 12 games with five starts at fullback as a fifth-year senior in 2012. He picked up a pair of team honors, including the Joe Roth Award given to the player best exemplifying courage, attitude and sportsmanship. He was also the Senior Lifter of the Year. Stevens posted career bests with 13 rushes for 51 yards and nine receptions for 55 yards to also total a career-best 106 all purpose yards.
During his 2010 sophomore season, Stevens spent most of the campaign as the team's top fullback with five starts at the position among his 11 games played. He contributed four catches for 27 yards and a touchdown, as well as one rush for two yards.
He played in 12 games off the bench primarily on special teams and also as a backup fullback as a redshirt freshman in 2009 when he contributed a career-high six tackles.
Stevens is one of eight former Cal players from the team's 2012 roster to join NFL teams, bringing Cal's total of NFL players to 42 according to ESPN.com.
The four Golden Bears selected in the 2013 NFL Draft were WR Keenan Allen (San Diego Chargers, third round, No. 76 overall), OL Marc Anthony (Baltimore Ravens, seventh round, No. 247 overall).
Stevens, TB C.J. Anderson (Denver Broncos), DB Josh Hill (Arizona Cardinals) and DL Aaron Tipoti (Buffalo Bills) have joined NFL teams following the completion of the 2013 draft.
Other former Cal players who completed their collegiate eligibility in 2012 that attended local pro days hosted by Cal and/or the San Francisco 49ers but were not selected for the 2013 NFL Draft or have yet to formally join NFL teams include TB Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson (played senior year at Northern Arizona), DB Zach Maynard, LB Robert Mullins, DL Kendrick Payne, TB Matt Summers-Gavin.
Many players who are not drafted typically join NFL rosters shortly after the NFL Draft by signing undrafted free agent contracts. Cal will not announce information until NFL teams officially confirm that a player has been added to their roster.
