Dan Stevenson Dan Whitney Stevenson ( born October 4 , 1982 in Chicago , Illinois ) is a free agent American football offensive lineman who last played for the Houston Texans of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft . He played college football at Notre Dame . Stevenson has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins . Early years . Stevenson attended Barrington High School in Barrington , Illinois . He was a " PARADE " All - American , rated 95th on the " Chicago Sun - Times " list of the nation ' s top 100 prospects and rated the top offensive lineman in the Midwest . He earned three letters in football , helping his team win two league titles as a junior and senior . The team captain , he made 63 pancake blocks as a senior in 2000 . He also won three letters in track and field , qualifying for the state meet in the discus and shot put . He served twice as the track team ' s captain , earning All - League honors as a senior . He also played volleyball on the junior varsity for two years as a freshman and a sophomore . College career . Stevenson played in 45 games with 35 starts over four seasons ( 2002 – 2005 ) at Notre Dame and was a three - year starter at offensive guard . He was redshirted in 2001 . After being redshirted in 2001 , played in 11 games ( including one start ) in 2002 . He began the year as a reserve guard and moved to tackle and into the starting lineup for the Gator Bowl against N . C . State , in place of Brennan Curtin . Stevenson made his first career appearance for the Fighting Irish against Maryland . He became a regular part of the offensive line rotation and saw increased playing time as the season progressed . Stevenson started 10 games at right guard as a sophomore in 2003 , while also making 12 special teams appearances . He made his only collegiate reception when he grabbed a tipped pass at the line against Michigan State . Stevenson helped running back Julius Jones ( now with the Seattle Seahawks ) rush for a school - record 262 yards against Pittsburgh . Jones recorded three games with 200 - plus yards rushing , becoming the first player in Notre Dame history to achieve the feat . In 2004 , Stevenson started all 12 games at right guard and helped the Fighting Irish average 345 . 5 yards per game . He collected 56 key blocks / knockdowns with six touchdown - resulting blocks , playing on a line that allowed just 25 sacks . He also made 40 special teams appearances on the season . Stevenson blocked for the Irish to rush for 195 yards against national champion Southern California - the most rushing yards allowed by the Trojans in two years . As as senior , Stevenson was the winner of the Guardian Insurance Guardian of the Year Award , presented annually to Notre Dame ' s top offensive lineman . He was an All - Independent first - team selection by the " NFL Draft Report " . Starting all 12 games at right guard , he helped an explosive offense that averaged 36 . 7 points and 477 . 3 yards per game ( 330 . 2 passing , 147 . 1 rushing ) . He helped lead the way as halfback Darius Walker eclipsed 100 rushing yards in seven games . On the year , Stevenson produced 78 key blocks / knockdowns with eight touchdown - resulting blocks , as the offensive line allowed only 21 sacks . He also made 71 special teams appearances . He helped the offense churn out more than 500 yards in five separate games and exceed 600 yards once ( 621 yards against Purdue ) . Professional career . Pre - draft . At the Notre Dame pro day , Stevenson measured a height of 6 - 5 and a weight of 300 pounds . He ran the 40 - yard dash twice with a time of 5 . 34 seconds . His short shuttle time was 4 . 55 seconds and his 3 cone drill time was 7 . 33 seconds . New England Patriots . Stevenson was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round ( 205th overall ) of the 2006 NFL Draft . He was waived by the Patriots on September 2 , 2006 following training camp , and proceeded to spend the first eight games of the regular season on the team ' s practice squad before being released November 7 . Miami Dolphins . Two days after his release from the Patriots , the Dolphins signed Stevenson to their practice squad . They elevated to the active roster on December 19 . He was inactive the final two games of the season . Stevenson was released by the Dolphins during final cuts on September 1 , 2007 . Houston Texans . The Texans signed Stevenson to their practice squad on December 4 , 2007 . He was signed to a future contract by the Texans on January 15 , 2008 , was waived / injured on July 22 , 2008 , cleared waivers , and was placed on injured reserve two days later , ending his season . Stevenson was not resigned following the season . Personal . Dan ' s father , Mark Stevenson , played at Missouri , in the USFL for the Chicago Blitz ( 1983 ) and Arizona Wranglers ( 1984 ) before playing with the Detroit Lions as a center / guard in 1985 . Dan ' s brother , Tony , played football at Arizona State while another brother , Joey , played football at Arizona Western .