Matt Vines

Logansport High product John Stephens Jr. has found a home at tight end after a modest collegiate career as a receiver.

Stephens Jr. made the final 53-man roster for the Dallas Cowboys, surging to the No. 3 tight end position as the Cowboys traded tight end Peyton Hendershot, who had appeared in 25 games the past two seasons.

Stephens has beefed up to 245 pounds, and standing at 6-foot-5, he’s a size mismatch for defensive backs but fast enough to cause problems for linebackers in coverage.

After finishing his college career in 2022, an injury sidetracked his 2023 efforts to make a professional roster.

But a healthy Stephens muscled his way onto the final roster this season.

As college receiver, he caught 14 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns in his final season at UL Lafayette.

He wasn’t a focal point at Texas Christian in his first college stop, and he totaled under 200 receiving yards in his first ULL campaign in 2021.

The Logansport standout was ranked the No. 1 athlete in Louisiana as a high school senior and No. 61 overall athlete in the nation.

Registration open for North DeSoto Wrestling Academy, NDHS girls team
Youth interested in exploring the world of wrestling can join the North DeSoto Wrestling Academy.

Wrestlers compete throughout the fall with three practices per week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays).

Parents can register their children on Sept. 5 at the North DeSoto Upper Elementary Gym from 4-8 p.m.

The cost for the season is $400, with $200 due on Sept. 5. The cost covers team uniforms, USAW insurance and team enrollment.

High school girls interested in competing are invited to attend a student/parent meeting Sept. 9 in the NDHS Library at 6 p.m.

The LHSAA membership approved girls high school wrestling as a championship sport, meaning girls will no longer have to wrestle against boys.

For more information on either initiative, contact coach Dustin Burton at 318-617-9277.