Tarleton quarterback Nick Stevens has a chance to take his football career to the next level and play in the NFL.

 

Stevens, who transferred to Tarleton from Tennessee in the 2010 season, had a rough start his first season. In the first game of the season, he was injured and was removed for part of the season. In 2011 he lead the Texans to a five game winning streak and Cary Fowler’s first winning season as head coach.

 

Stevens had to miss spring practice due to injuries in 2011 and only had two weeks to learn a completely new offense before his first game against Abilene Christian.

 

Over the past years the Texan football program has relied heavily on leaders within the team. Fowler refers to quarterback Scott Grantham as, “the greatest leader I’ve ever seen in my life.”

 

Fowler believes that a good leader can affect the way the entire team plays. According to Fowler the biggest leaders on the team currently are mostly underclassmen. “If you don’t believe that good leadership works, look at the Denver Broncos,” Fowler said. “Look at the New England Patriots. Look at the Greenbay Packers. Great leadership works. Go ask the Colts if they miss Peyton Manning.”

 

“Statistically, Nick is one of the best quarterbacks that’s ever played here,” Fowler said. “What people don’t realize is that he played in two different offensive systems here. He played in five different offensive systems in his college career.” The success that Stevens was able to bring to Tarleton puts him with the other great leaders of Tarleton’s athletic history.

 

Stevens has been working out with NFL trainers and is being viewed as a potential success in the NFL. Stephens has also been chosen to play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game scheduled for Jan. 21.

 

“One thing I’ll never forget about Nick Stevens is that guy would never lay down,” Fowler said. “He loved his team, he competed, and all he wanted to do was win football games.”