FAMU football All-American defensive lineman reverses return plans, re-enters transfer portal

UPDATE | Kamari Stephens re-enters NCAA Transfer Portal on July 10, 2023

Florida A&M football's Dark Cloud Defense may be without Kamari Stephens after all.

The HBCU All-American defensive lineman announced via Twitter that he re-entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal Monday.

He has two years of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer.

Stephens originally entered the portal on May 1, but decided to stay with FAMU on May 31.

He said he turned down Division I-FBS offers such as Central Florida (UCF) and Jacksonville State, which he took visits to before remaining with the Rattlers.

Stephens, 6-foot-3, 270 pounds compiled 23 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception in two active seasons with the Rattlers, which earned 2022 All-SWAC and Boxtorow HBCU All-American honors.

Original Report | Kamari Stephens remains with FAMU after stint in the NCAA Transfer Portal on May 31, 2023

Kamari Stephens is staying a Rattler.

The FAMU football All-American defensive lineman announced that he cancelled his transfer plans to return to the team for the 2023 season with a two-minute video posted to Twitter.

The short film also featured FAMU head coach Willie Simmons and director of recruiting Devin Rispress as Stephens sported a Central Florida (UCF) hoodie.

“At the end of the day, I just feel like it’s best for me to be a Rattler,” Stephens said on the announcement video. ”Once a Rattler, always a Rattler.”

Stephens entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on May 1.

Including UCF, Stephens held eight Division I-FBS offers according to his Twitter. He visited UCF in Orlando on the weekend of May 19.

Stephens has two years of eligibility remaining as a graduate student.

Stephens arrived to FAMU from Jacksonville's Sandalwood High School as a member of the 2019 recruiting class.

He tallied 23 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception in two active seasons with the Rattlers.

Stephens, 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, broke out during the 2022 season, finishing with 20 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception ― earning All-SWAC and All-American honors.

Stephens recently graduated from FAMU with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: All American Kamari Stephens announces transfer plans