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Sunday, April 29, 2007

Pittsburgh Steelers 5th Rd Draft Pick: Cameron Stephenson

CAMERON STEPHENSON

Offensive Guard

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

6:03.0-306

Inglewood, Calif.

Los Angeles Harbor College

Hawthorne High School

5th Round – 156th Overall

OVERVIEW

Stephenson is an emerging talent who found a home at right guard as a senior…Throughout his college career, he bounced around between both front walls…He began his career as a defensive tackle at Los Angeles Harbor College, but shifted to offensive tackle when he transferred to Rutgers in 2004…Stephenson moved back to the defensive line in 2005 for the Scarlet Knights, but after that season he spent preseason drills acclimating to playing on the offensive line…His stellar performance in the trenches led to him earning All-Big East honors, as a he was part of a line that allowed the fewest sacks (eight) in the nation in 2006…At Hawthorne High School, Stephenson was a three-year starter on the offensive line, competing at the demanding left tackle position…During his three years with the varsity, he earned All-Bay League honors each season…Stephenson enrolled at Los Angeles Harbor College in 2002…He started at defensive tackle as a freshman, earning second team All-South Coast Conference and all-state honors…He was scheduled to play on both lines in 2003, but on the first play of the season opener he suffered a knee injury and did not return, earning a medical redshirt…In 2004, Stephenson transferred to Rutgers…He appeared in seven games as an offensive lineman, earning his first career start on that side of the ball at right tackle against Temple…The following season, he returned to the defensive line, recording 10 tackles (two solos) with a sack, two stops for losses and a fumble recovery…As a senior, Stephenson started all year at right guard, where he earned second-team All-Big East Conference honors…He allowed just one of the eight sacks given up by the front wall, as the Scarlet Knights averaged 180.2 yards per game on the ground.

2006 SEASON

Was Rutgers' starting right guard that led the Scarlet Knights to a Texas Bowl victory over Kansas State...Part of a Rutgers' offensive line that allowed just eight sacks the entire season, the fewest of any team nationally…A 2006 second-team All-BIG EAST selection...Part of a Rutgers' rushing offense that is ranked 26th in the country...Contributed to a Rutgers' offense that posted a 56-point performance against Howard (9/23), the most points scored at Rutgers under Greg Schiano and the most points scored by the Scarlet Knights since the Sept. 9, 2000 contest against Buffalo...Serves on a line that has paved the way for RU to average nearly 200 rushing yards per game this season...Contributed to a Rutgers blocking effort that allowed both Brian Leonard and Ray Rice to rush for 100 yards apiece in the win over Syracuse (11/25), marking the first time since 1994 the Scarlet Knights have had two 100-yard performers in a game.

2005 SEASON

Switched from the defensive line to the offensive line in Spring Practice 2006...Played in all 12 games...Had a TFL and a half sack in win at Buffalo...Had a TFL and a fumble recovery in RU's 37-29 victory over Pittsburgh.

2004 SEASON

Played in 7-of-11 games on the offensive line in 2004…Made his first career start vs. Temple (10/16) at left tackle…Was part of an offensive line that ranked first in the BIG EAST and sixth nationally in passing (310.5 yards/game).

JUNIOR COLLEGE

Spent the 2002-03 seasons at Los Angeles Harbor College…Started at defensive tackle for the Seahawks in 2002, earning All-South Coast Conference second-team and all-state honors…Was scheduled to start on both sides of the ball in 2003, but hurt his knee in the season opener, missing the rest of the season (granted a medical hardship)…Made the move to defense at Harbor…Was slated to start on both sides of the ball in 2003…One of six players from Harbor to sign with Division I teams in 2004.

HIGH SCHOOL

Was a three-year starter on offense at Hawthorne High School at left tackle…Three-year All-Bay League pick.

PERSONAL

Sociology major…Born 6/18/83 in Sydney, Australia…Resides in Inglewood, Calif.

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