'Go with your gut': What happened in the NCAA Transfer Portal, why Kamari Stephens stayed at FAMU

The NCAA Transfer Portal can give. But the NCAA Transfer Portal can also take.

Florida A&M football almost experienced the latter when defensive end Kamari Stephens announced his plans to transfer on May 1.

Stephens, a 2022 Boxtorow HBCU All-American and All-SWAC selection, spent the entire month in the portal before deciding to spurn Division I-FBS offers to rejoin the Rattlers, of the FCS, via Twitter on May 31.

He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Stephens compiled 20 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception as the Rattlers went 9-2 in 2022.

"I entered the portal just to explore my options and see what was out there," Stephens told the Tallahassee Democrat. "But at the end of the day, when I saw what other schools had to offer, none of them could offer me what FAMU could.

"It didn't feel right. You have to go with your gut at the end of the day."

Stephens, from Jacksonville and a Sandalwood High School alumnus, had a total of 12 offers to weigh his options. Eight were from FBS programs.

His first offer was from Central Florida (UCF). Stephens entertained the opportunity to play for the Knights, taking a visit to Orlando on the weekend of May 19.

FBS school Jacksonville State also offered Stephens. He accepted an invitation to visit the facility on May 16.

"The portal was crazy," Stephens said. "I had 108 college coaches follow me in one day and at least 50 of them texted me on Twitter. I always wanted to play FBS, but I didn't take high school serious during my freshman and sophomore year, so it messed me up.

"I got FBS offers, so now that's checked off my bucket list. Even though I didn't go do it, I had the opportunity."

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Having the right people around him influences Kamari Stephens' decision to roll with the FAMU Rattlers

Surrounding himself with people with similar experiences and those that have accomplished his ultimate goal of playing in the NFL helped Stephens during his portal stint.

Last spring, Stephens' teammate, Isaiah Land, who's now on the Dallas Cowboys, entered the transfer portal before deciding to stick with FAMU ― also passing on FBS offers.

Stephens' brother, Kendrick Norton, was an All-ACC honorable mention defensive tackle for FBS Miami Hurricanes and drafted to the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Norton played a season in the NFL with the Panthers and Miami Dolphins, but career was cut short after a car accident caused him to have his left arm amputated.

"If you can play ball, they're going to find you," Stephens said. "It's no point in forcing and rushing it. I have two years to play ball. I'm in a good position and I'm good with where I'm at."

Stephens and the FAMU's coaching staff have a strong relationship paired with a mutual respect for one another.

So, it didn't take much convincing for Stephens to stay on the Highest of Seven Hills.

Of course the Rattlers wanted Stephens to be in the Citrus Orange and Agricultural Green next season. But FAMU unselfishly wanted Stephens to do what was in the best interest for his own personal football career.

"[FAMU head coach Willie Simmons] wasn't blowing my phone up when I was in the transfer portal," Stephens said. "The day I hit the transfer portal, I talked to [defensive coordinator Ryan Smith] and [defensive line coach Milton Patterson] and I talked to Coach Simmons. I'm a Rattler and a product of Coach Simmons and Coach Pat'.

"FAMU told me that they'd take a chance on me, but I'd have to academic redshirt my freshman year [in 2019]. I know I can play ball, so I could just stick with the ones who got me in this position.

"I'd rather keep doing what I'm doing here. The grass isn't always greener on the other side."

Another reason that Stephens decided to stay put was because of Rattler fanatics and supporters keeping it a FAMULY affair.

There wasn't much social media pushback of his transfer plans.

As the coaching staff did, FAMU fans wanted him back. But, they would support him regardless of where he landed ― which ended up being the Rattlers.

"That's why I love FAMU," Stephens said. "It was nothing but support. All the alumni were wishing me the best and supporting me. It felt good because in some situations, people act like they're rooting for you and then start talking down on you when you leave.

"Rattler Nation doesn't do that."

Fulfilling an achievement with his FAMU football classmates plays a vital role into Kamari Stephens remaining a Rattler

Stephens has some unfinished business.

He wants rings.

The Rattlers will be chasing their first SWAC Championship and HBCU Celebration Bowl victories in program history this upcoming season.

"June 18, 2019 is a day I'll never forget," Stephens said. "I came in with guys like Javan Morgan, Kamari Young, Terrell Jennings, and Khamari Thompson. Our freshman class used to sit down and talk about what we were going to do and how we were going to do it. We said we were going to put FAMU on the map. Well, FAMU is already on the map, so we have the opportunity to win the 'ship.

"I'm falling back on a championship team. I didn't want to leave my brothers. I'm big on loyalty and without them, I wouldn't be in this position. I want to finish with my boys and us all to be able to do it together."

Even if Stephens had decided to leave FAMU, he's forever connected as an alumnus. He recently graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice on May 6.

He took care of academic obligations and now he's ready to play under the bright lights of Bragg Memorial Stadium while grinding to be the first player to be drafted out of FAMU since Brandon Hepburn in 2013.

"I put my hard work in and got a degree from FAMU," Stephens said. "I made a name for myself. It's like I'm living a Rattler's dream. I want to be one of the next ones to get drafted from FAM'. I just got to finish.

"Once a Rattler, always a Rattler."

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: Kamari Stephens talks about what kept him with the Rattlers