while attending university of california, los angeles (ucla), stokes played for the bruins football team from 1991 to 1994. his breakout season came in his junior year when he was named the pac-10 offensive player of the year. stokes' junior season was rewarded with a top ten finish in the balloting for that year's heisman trophy, being the only junior recognized. stokes' junior season ended with unanimous all-american recognition by the sporting news, ap, upi, and kodak. stokes' senior year began as the nation's leading heisman contender but was quickly sidetracked by a severe upper thigh contusion suffered in the season's first game. stokes still holds ucla school records for receiving touchdowns in a season (17 in 1993), receiving touchdowns in a career (28), receiving yards in a game (263 vs. usc in 1992) and receptions in a game (14 vs. wisconsin, 1994 rose bowl), among others.