Stanley attended Dougherty Comprehensive High School, where he was an accomplished three-sport athlete. As a junior he had 17 sacks, helping his team to a state title and a 13-2 record. As a senior he made 15 sacks, contributing to an 11-2 record and reaching the state semifinals. He was a three-time All-Region and a two-time All-state selection at defensive tackle. He was a three-time All-Region selection in basketball, helping his team win a state title as a senior, while averaging 10 points and 10rebounds per game. He also practiced track for two years, finishing third in the region in the discus and shot put competitions as a senior.
College career
Stanley accepted a football scholarship from the University of Louisville. As a redshirt freshman, he began his college career as a defensive end, tallying 16 tackles and one fumble recovery. As a sophomore, he became a starter at left defensive end on a defensive line that included future NFL players Elvis Dumervil and Amobi Okoye. He was moved to left defensive tackle for the 2003 GMAC Bowl. He finished with 37 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. As a junior, he started at right defensive tackle, registering 30 tackles, 4 sacks 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown against Tulane University. As a senior, although his first start came in the third game against the University of South Florida, he received All-Big East honors. He posted a career-high 48 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. He finished his career ranked 12th in school history with 12.5 sacks and tied for ninth with 30 tackles for loss.
On September 4, 2006, he was signed to the St. Louis Rams' practice squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars (first stint)
On September 12, 2006, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him from the Rams' practice squad for depth purposes, after defensive end Reggie Hayward was placed on the injured reserve list. He was declared inactive in his first 3 games. He played in 3 out of 4 games, posting 4 tackles, half a sack, and a forced fumble. He was cut on November 14.
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
On November 16, 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys to backup Jason Ferguson. He was declared inactive for the rest of the season. He was released on August 27, 2007.
Atlanta Falcons
On August 28, 2007, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons. He played in 14 games and registered 29 tackles. He was cut on August 30, 2008.
New Orleans Saints
On October 8, 2008, Stanley signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints and played in one game, before being placed on the injured reserve list on October 18.
Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)
On July 23, 2009, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He went on to play in a career-high 15 games, finishing with 24 tackles, one sack and 3 passes defensed. He was waived on April 26, 2010.
On July 25, 2010, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins, reuniting him with various coaches and front office personnel from the Dallas Cowboys, including Bill Parcells who was his head coach as a rookie. He was acquired for depth purposes after Jason Ferguson retired and was released on September 4.
