Marquez Stevenson Bio
Marquez Stevenson (born March 26, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver who has competed at the college level, in the National Football League, and in the United Football League. He played college football at the University of Houston, where he developed into one of the most productive pass catchers in Cougars history. Selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, Stevenson has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers. He currently plays for the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL and continues to pursue his professional career in the sport.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and listed at 180 pounds, Stevenson has built his career on reliable hands, sharp route running, and the ability to contribute on special teams as a returner. His professional journey has carried him across multiple organizations and leagues, reflecting both his perseverance through injuries and his steady development as a receiver.
Early Life and Background
Marquez Stevenson was born on March 26, 1998, in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he grew up and began his path toward organized football. He attended Northwood High School in Shreveport, the same program that helped shape his early athletic identity. During his high school years, Stevenson emerged as a promising young talent, drawing attention from college programs across the region for his speed and football instincts.
After completing his time at Northwood, Stevenson committed to the University of Houston to play college football at the NCAA Division I level. The decision to join the Cougars set the stage for the next phase of his development, moving him from a Louisiana high school prospect to a contributor in a competitive conference environment.
Path to American Football
Stevenson arrived at the University of Houston in 2016, beginning his college career as a true freshman wide receiver. In his first season, he appeared in two games and did not record a reception, but he gained 36 receiving yards on a hook-and-lateral play that hinted at the playmaking ability he would later showcase. His early progress, however, was interrupted by a torn ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2017 season.
When Stevenson returned from the injury in 2018, he emerged as one of the top receivers in the American Athletic Conference. He led the Houston Cougars with 75 receptions for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns that season, earning First-team All-AAC honors. He repeated as a First-team All-AAC selection in 2019 after again leading the team with 52 receptions for 907 yards and nine touchdowns. Rather than enter the 2020 NFL draft, Stevenson returned to Houston for his senior season in 2020 and later participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl, where he solidified his status as an NFL prospect.
Marquez Stevenson Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Stevenson’s developmental years took place entirely at the University of Houston, where he spent five seasons with the Cougars program. After a quiet freshman year and a redshirt season lost to injury, he became the focal point of the Houston passing attack starting in 2018. His two All-AAC seasons demonstrated consistency, while his late decision to return for a senior year suggested maturity and a desire to refine his game before turning professional.
The 2021 Senior Bowl served as his primary bridge to the NFL, offering him a chance to perform against top draft-eligible players from across college football. That showcase, combined with his college production, positioned him as a depth-and-special-teams prospect heading into the 2021 NFL draft.
Buffalo Bills Era (2021–2022)
Marquez Stevenson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round, 203rd overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. On May 13, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the team, officially beginning his NFL career. His first season, however, was disrupted by an injury that led to a stint on injured reserve beginning September 1, 2021, before he was activated on November 25.
In 2022, Stevenson again spent time on injured reserve after being placed there on August 31. He was released on December 6, 2022, but quickly returned to the organization when he was re-signed to the practice squad three days later. His time with the Bills ultimately ended when he was released from the practice squad on December 13, 2022, closing a tenure that produced 297 career return yards despite the injury setbacks.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022–2023)
On December 14, 2022, the Cleveland Browns signed Stevenson to their practice squad, giving him a new opportunity shortly after his departure from Buffalo. He signed a reserve/future contract with Cleveland on January 9, 2023, signaling that the organization saw long-term potential in the young receiver. His time with the Browns, however, was short, as he was waived on May 9, 2023.
Carolina Panthers Era (2023)
Stevenson found another opportunity on May 16, 2023, when he signed with the Carolina Panthers. His stay in Carolina was brief and marked by injury management, as he was waived on July 26, 2023, and reverted to the team’s reserve/physically unable to perform list the following day. He was released on September 1, 2023, ending his third NFL stop in less than three full professional seasons.
San Antonio Brahmas Era (2024–Present)
On January 19, 2024, Stevenson signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, marking his transition from the NFL to the spring football landscape. The move offered him a chance to resume his career as a featured receiver rather than a depth piece, and he re-signed with the Brahmas on September 3, 2024, indicating the organization’s continued confidence in his role. His work in San Antonio has represented his most stable professional environment since entering the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Stevenson’s career are his two First-team All-AAC selections in 2018 and 2019, his participation in the 2021 Senior Bowl, and his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 NFL draft. His 297 career return yards in the NFL also stand as a verified statistical milestone from his time in the league.
Marquez Stevenson Career Wins
Verified statistical totals for Stevenson’s professional career are limited, and detailed game-by-game win records across the NFL and UFL are not consistently available in the source material. The most clearly supported professional stat is 297 career return yards accumulated during his time in the NFL, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. No comprehensive per-series wins, top-ten, or pole-style totals are verifiable from the provided sources, so additional win breakdowns are omitted to avoid speculation.
Other Wins & Performances
While full team-level win totals for the Brahmas are not confirmed in the provided sources, Stevenson’s two-time First-team All-AAC recognition in 2018 and 2019 stands as his most decorated documented performance stretch. His continued roster presence across multiple organizations reflects sustained evaluation by professional coaching staffs.
Marquez Stevenson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
The provided sources do not contain verified information about Marquez Stevenson’s parents, siblings, or extended family in football. Details about a family lineage in the sport are not supported by the available input, so this section is intentionally limited.
Personal Life
Publicly verified details about Stevenson’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not available in the provided sources. He was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, and his professional commitments have carried him through Buffalo, Cleveland, Carolina, and San Antonio during his career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Marquez Stevenson remained under contract with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League after re-signing with the team on September 3, 2024. His role within the Brahmas offense offered him a stable environment to build on his transition from the NFL. With multiple NFL stops behind him, the 2025 UFL season represented an opportunity to contribute as an experienced veteran in the spring league.
While specific 2025 game-by-game statistics are not available in the verified inputs, Stevenson’s continued presence on the Brahmas roster signals that the organization valued his experience as a receiver and returner. His career arc through the Bills, Browns, Panthers, and Brahmas has shaped him into a depth-and-special-teams contributor with starting-level college credentials.
Looking ahead, Stevenson’s outlook in 2025 centered on solidifying his role within the Brahmas offense and demonstrating the durability that has defined his professional journey. His two All-AAC college seasons and his proven return-yard production in the NFL provided a foundation for continued opportunity at the professional level.
