How a seventh-round NFL draft pick reinvented himself as a short-yardage specialist
In short: Tommy Stevens entered the 2020 NFL draft as a quarterback, only to be moved to tight end during training camp. His journey from the New Orleans Saints to the Canadian Football League highlights the relentless versatility required to survive in professional football.
Born in Indianapolis on December 15, 1996, Thomas Mason Stevens began his collegiate journey at Penn State. During his time there, he demonstrated a dual-threat capability, recording 506 rushing yards and eight touchdowns alongside his passing efforts. After entering the transfer portal in April 2019, he moved to Mississippi State, where he faced further injury struggles but managed to compile 1,155 passing yards and 15 total touchdowns across nine games in 2019.
Stevens' professional career began in the 2020 NFL draft, where the New Orleans Saints selected him in the seventh round as the 240th overall pick. His tenure in the NFL was marked by positional shifts and roster movement; after being moved from quarterback to tight end in training camp, he was waived on September 5, 2020, before being re-signed to the practice squad. He later saw time with the Carolina Panthers, where he played in one regular-season game, and the New York Giants.
The Canadian Football League provided a new chapter for Stevens. Joining the Calgary Stampeders in January 2022, he primarily served as a third-string quarterback and short-yardage specialist. His influence was significant; during 2024, he recorded 10 rushing touchdowns, making him Calgary's third-most prolific quarterback in a single year, surpassed only by Doug Flutie and Henry Burris, who hold the 11-touchdown record. Following his success, Stevens signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on February 11, 2025, where he contributed to the team's 112th Grey Cup victory.
Stevens' ability to adapt has been central to his longevity. Whether operating as a quarterback or a short-yardage specialist, his career illustrates the grit necessary to navigate the volatile landscape of professional football rosters.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Tommy Stevens
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-tommy-stevens.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
