Shemar Stewart is a former blue-chip prospect whose time to go professional has lastly arrived. The Miami native was a 5-star prospect again in 2022, ranked as the highest participant within the talent-rich state of Florida and the ninth general participant in the whole nation.
Identify: Shemar StewartPosition: EDGEHeight: 6’6”Weight: 290 kilos
Shemar Stewart Faculty Stats, courtesy of Sports activities Reference
He picked the Aggies over gives to play for nearly each different SEC faculty, in addition to blue bloods like Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame. Enjoying on the sting for Texas A&M regardless of standing at a listed 290 kilos, Stewart has at all times been thought of a little bit of a tweener on the line of defense.
That mentioned, he’s performed nearly solely out huge for the Aggies regardless of a scheme change heading into this previous yr. His numbers don’t bounce out at you, however Stewart’s position in school requested him to do a thankless job, one which Stewart executed to a really excessive diploma.
Burst
For the way huge he’s, you’d anticipate Stewart to be just a little slower off the road, however he isn’t. Different edge rushers have higher first steps, however Stewart lurches ahead and does an excellent job of utilizing his heavy momentum to hold him ahead with out shedding stability.
Footwork
Stewart is extraordinarily exact together with his ft, losing no motion as he executes his rush plan. For being constructed like a skyscraper, he has some elite bend out on the sting. He will get nice positioning on offensive tackles due to an extended stride and a low middle of gravity that he makes use of expertly.
Hand Method
Stewart has two golf equipment for palms, often rocking offensive tackles again when he makes contact. His pace to energy is enjoyable to observe, and Stewart absolutely understands the heft he carries in his palms. At instances he’s not intentional sufficient together with his hand method, preferring to make use of his entire physique to easily overpower a deal with, however that is one thing that may be coached up on the subsequent degree.
Move Rush Strikes
He appears to have nearly each transfer in his arsenal, however he’s very inconsistent in how he makes use of them. Texas A&M by no means actually appeared to get Stewart honed in on one go rush plan, slightly letting him freelance just a little an excessive amount of.
Lateral Agility
Stewart is surprisingly nimble when transferring laterally, and he confirmed a variety of promise on stunts and twists in school. His lengthy stride and fast side-to-side actions make him a nightmare for inside guards when he will get matched up there, and it helped Stewart excel as a run defender too.
Athleticism
He received’t take a look at at an elite degree on the NFL Mix, however he’ll even be the heaviest EDGE there. It’s why some analysts suppose he ought to transfer to defensive deal with on the subsequent degree. By no means thoughts that, although, as EDGE is Stewart’s residence and, on a per-pound foundation, he’s extraordinarily athletic. He’s not beating Micah Parsons in a race any time quickly, however Stewart received’t be restricted by his athleticism.
Run Protection
Whereas it hadn’t been a power in his first two years, Stewart developed into an elite run stuffer in 2024. He gained a extra pure skill to set the sting, stack blocks, and disengage to wreak havoc within the backfield. Stewart posted an 88.2 run protection grade on Professional Soccer Focus, fourth-best within the nation amongst edge defenders, with an elite 1.5 yards common depth of deal with.
Processing
Stewart has grown leaps and bounds in his processing since arriving in Faculty Station. His timing has change into elite, and his skill to learn and diagnose run performs when two-gapping was a giant a part of his progress in run protection this yr.
Intangibles
Stewart has a uncommon mixture of measurement and athleticism. That mentioned, his lack of manufacturing will increase some questions. A lot of that has to do with the scheme, which was not designed for Stewart to rack up sacks. Nonetheless, he requires just a little extra projection than some will need, which can inevitably have Stewart labeled a boom-or-bust prospect.