Stephone Anthony (born July 28, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers. After his playing career, he joined Clemson's coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

Stephone Anthony
refer to caption
Anthony with the New Orleans Saints in 2015
Clemson Tigers
Position:Graduate assistant
Personal information
Born: (1992-07-28) July 28, 1992 (age 32)
Polkton, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Anson
(Wadesboro, North Carolina)
College:Clemson (2011–2014)
NFL draft:2015 / round: 1 / pick: 31
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:152
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

edit

A native of Polkton, North Carolina, Anthony attended Anson High School, where he was a four-year starter. Anthony had 123 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions as a senior in 2010.

In addition to football, Anthony was also a catcher on the baseball team and a power forward on the basketball team, as well as a track athlete (11.3 s in the 100m).

Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Anthony was rated the No. 3 outside linebackers prospect.[1] He chose Clemson over UNC, Florida, and Virginia Tech.[2]

College career

edit

He appeared in all 13 games in 2011, including three starts. For the season, he registered 32 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass breakup, and a team-high two caused fumbles in 292 snaps. He started seven of 13 games as a sophomore, recording 77 tackles, one sack and an interception. Anthony started all 13 games as a junior in 2013. He recorded a team-high 131 tackles with four sacks and an interception.[3]

Professional career

edit
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+58 in
(1.90 m)
243 lb
(110 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
10+38 in
(0.26 m)
4.56 s 1.56 s 2.63 s 4.03 s 7.07 s 37 in
(0.94 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
23 reps
All values from NFL Combine[4]

New Orleans Saints (first stint)

edit

2015

edit

Anthony was selected in the first round (31st overall) of the 2015 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.[5] The pick originally belonged to the Seattle Seahawks, and was traded to the Saints in the Max Unger-Jimmy Graham trade.[6]

On May 12, 2015, the Saints signed him to a four-year, $7.73 million contract with $6.24 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.38 million.[7]

He recorded his first sack October 4 in the Saint's 26–20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. In a Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers, Anthony was fined $17,363 for his hit on wide receiver Devin Funchess.[8] During the Saints' Week 12 matchup also against the Carolina Panthers, Anthony stopped running back Jonathan Stewart after a handoff up the middle, stripped the ball, then ran it back for a touchdown. Nobody chased him as everyone assumed the play was dead. In the same game, Anthony also became the first person in NFL history to return a blocked kick for two points after Kevin Williams blocked an extra point, following a rule change that took effect in the offseason to allow such returns.[9] Anthony recorded his 100th tackle in a Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions, where he also forced a fumble. He became the first Saints' rookie to record 100 tackles in a season since Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson.

Anthony finished his rookie season with 112 tackles, one sack, one interception, and two forced fumbles. He had two scores, both coming against the Carolina Panthers, and led all rookies in tackles. Anthony was also named to the Pro Football Writers Association all-rookie team.[10]

2016

edit

On May 14, 2016, it was announced that Anthony would be moved to strongside linebacker, a position he never played before in the NFL.[11] Anthony would go on to only play in 10 games in the regular season, recording 16 tackles. On December 20 he was placed on the injured reserve list, ending his 2016 season.[12]

Miami Dolphins

edit

On September 19, 2017, Anthony was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a 2018 fifth-round draft pick.[13]

On May 2, 2018, the Dolphins declined the fifth-year option on Anthony's contract, making him a free agent in 2019.[14]

Atlanta Falcons

edit

On July 26, 2019, Anthony signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[15] He was released on August 18, 2019.[16]

New York Jets

edit

On August 20, 2019, Anthony signed with the New York Jets.[17] He was released on August 31, 2019.[18]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

edit

On September 25, 2019, Anthony signed with the Saints. He was released on October 16, but was re-signed a week later.[19]

Arizona Cardinals

edit

On November 16, 2020, Anthony was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.[20] He was released on November 24, 2020.[21]

NFL career statistics

edit
Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2015 NOR 16 16 112 70 42 1.0 5 1 5 0 5 5 2 1 31 1
2016 NOR 10 3 16 12 4 0.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 MIA 8 0 15 12 3 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 MIA 16 0 8 3 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 NOR 12 1 1 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
62 20 152 97 55 1.0 9 1 5 0 5 5 2 1 31 1

Coaching career

edit

In 2022, Anthony began his coaching career, joining the staff at his alma mater, Clemson, as a defensive graduate assistant.[22]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Outside linebackers 2011". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
  2. ^ "Stephone Anthony". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  3. ^ Robinson, Manie (August 5, 2014). "Clemson's Anthony channeling Shuey's scrappy stability". The Greenville News. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  4. ^ Zierlein, Lance. "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Stephone Anthony". NFL.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Wilson, Ryan (April 30, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft: Saints get C- for picking Stephone Anthony at No. 31". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  7. ^ "Stephone Anthony". Spotrac.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  8. ^ Terrell, Katherine (October 2, 2015). "New Orleans Saints LB Stephone Anthony fined for hit on Panthers WR Devin Funchess". NOLA.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  9. ^ Dubin, Jared (December 6, 2015). "Saints first-ever team to run back a blocked extra point for two points". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Dabe, Christopher (January 19, 2016). "New Orleans Saints LB Stephone Anthony named to PFWA all-rookie team". NOLA.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  11. ^ "Saints' Stephone Anthony: Will move to strongside linebacker". CBSSports.com. May 14, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  12. ^ Triplett, Mike (December 20, 2016). "Saints LB Anthony put on IR after poor season". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  13. ^ Sessler, Mark (September 17, 2017). "Dolphins acquire LB Stephone Anthony from Saints". NFL.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  14. ^ Alper, Josh (May 2, 2018). "Dolphins don't pick up Stephone Anthony's 2019 option". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  15. ^ McFadden, Will (July 26, 2019). "Falcons agree to terms with Stephone Anthony and Richie Brown". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  16. ^ McFadden, Will. "Falcons agree to terms with Jalen Myrick, release Stephone Anthony". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  17. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (August 20, 2019). "Jets Sign LB Stephone Anthony, Waive S Santos Ramirez". NewYorkJets.com.
  18. ^ Lange, Randy (August 31, 2019). "Jets Announce 38 Moves to Get Down to 53-Man Roster". NewYorkJets.com.
  19. ^ "Saints sign RB Zach Zenner, TE Brian Parker ahead of Bears; LB Stephone Anthony released". NOLA.com. October 16, 2019.
  20. ^ Kwong, Andy (November 16, 2020). "Cardinals sign Stephone Anthony and Terrance Smith to the practice squad". Revenge of the Birds. SB Nation. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  21. ^ Odegard, Kyle (November 24, 2020). "Kyler Murray Calls Limited Practice 'Precautionary' Move". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  22. ^ Barnett, Zach (February 2, 2022). "Clemson announces a slew of promotions, new hires, and raises". footballscoop.com. Football Scoop. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
edit