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Iowa State University Athletics
Stephens Seventh-Round NFL Draft Choice of Bengals
04.24.2010 | Football
NEW YORK ? Iowa State center Reggie Stephens was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday in the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Stephens was chosen in the seventh round as the 228th player overall. He was sitting by himself in his Ames apartment when got the news just ahead of the announcement on national television.
“(Cinncinati head coach Marvin Lewis) called me just a moment before it was announced on TV,” Stephens said. “I also talked with Paul Alexander, their assistant head coach and offensive line coach.”
Stephens said his parents were excited.
“They were ecstatic,” Stephens said. “There were so happy that I couldn't get them off the phone.”
Stephens was an AP first-team all-Big 12 honoree. The native of Rowlett, Texas turned heads with his performance against All-American defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh in the Cyclones' 9-7 win over Nebraska on Oct. 24. Early the next week he had his appendix removed. Stephens, a senior co-captain from Rowlett, Texas, missed only the ISU contest at Texas A&M the following weekend. He was a co-captain and key cog in Iowa State's winning season that concluded with a 14-13 win over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl.
Stephens knew the Bengals had more than a passing interest in his future.
“They were at Pro Day,” Stephens said. “I talked with their scouts quite frequently.”
Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads was happy for Stephens.
"Reggie is an example of what perserverance can do for a person," Rhoads said. "This guy went through three head coaches and became a leader on our team last season. Everything that comes to Reggie he deserves."
Iowa State punter Mike Brandtnersigned a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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