His career started when he landed a lead role in the hit Mormon film "God's Army," from director Richard Dutcher. Desean then went on to attend the prestigious Juilliard school, where he graduated alongside classmates Nelsan Ellis, from HBO's "True Blood", and actress Gillian Jacobs from NBC's "Community". Shortly after graduation, Desean moved back to Los Angeles and was cast in a recurring role on the Showtime series "Sleeper Cell," with Michael Ealy.