Stephens is ranked as the No. 2 receiver in Iowa’s 2028 Class per the latest update from Prep Redzone. The Waverly-Shell Rock junior sits in the top tier of the position for this cycle with Isaiah Grant Isaiah Grant 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Sioux City East | 2028 State IA . That adds context to the ratings. Stephens has as much potential as anyone and could also find himself playing another position on the next level. His athleticism, speed and power potential provide path to success at other spots. As a receiver, Stephens is polished despite missing most of last season with an injury. He can beat bigger defensive backs with speed and outmuscle smaller ones. Reliable hands and crisp routes also make him a tough cover. Stephens is a weapon in the return game, too.

Few prospects in the state will be looking more forward to hitting the field this fall than Stephens. He lost his sophomore season to injury and will be looking to make up for lost time, wanting to lead Waverly-Shell Rock on a run in 2026. The versatile athlete claims scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State and South Dakota despite being off of the field for a year. His exploits on the track this spring certainly aided in that interest. Expect it to increase this fall when Stephens is impacting games in all three phases. He’s a handful to slow down when running routes as a well-rounded receiver. Stephens is a playmaker in the secondary, too, and speed and elusiveness make him dangerous in the return game.

Okay, we’ve got to throw one 2028 in here.

Jayden Stephens Jayden Stephens 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR/DB Waverly-Shell Rock | 2028 State IA , who picked up offers from both Iowa and Iowa State following his freshman campaign, was re-offered by Jimmy Rogers’ staff in Ames last week. An explosive receiver with natural bend and athleticism, Stephens has a rare burst that allows him to find a hole and fire through it, catch a ball on a slant and take it to the endzone and suddenness as a route-runner that makes him a nearly impossible cover. He’s the type of athlete that only comes around once in a long time at places like Waverly-Shell Rock, and the type receiver that could play in the slot or on the outside at the next level. That, and he can compete to be a returner or gunner on special teams. With sub-11 100-meter track speed and a near 23-foot long jump PR, Stephens’ quickness and explosion is evident on the track, too.

With camp season right around the corner, one has to think that Stpehens will begin to get more and more attention, especially assuming he’s able to make it through his junior campaign 100% healthy after missing the majority of his sophomore season.

Back for the first time this season after missing the first five games due to injury, Jayden Stephens Jayden Stephens 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR/DB Waverly-Shell Rock | 2028 State IA returned to the field on Friday night.

One can tell the first time he or she sees Stephens catch a pass and run that he’s different athletically. A bouncy runner, the sophomore is explosive in the open field and possesses a burst that earned him offers from Iowa and Iowa State this summer on the camp circuit.

Though I didn’t get to see much of him on Friday, Stephens showed off playmaking ability as a ball-carrier on jet-sweeps, sticky hands, the capability to catch a swing or a screen pass and make a big play and that athleticism that only few prospects possess. He may only have offers from the in-state programs now, but, assuming he gets back out on the camp circuit again this summer, that will likely change.