What should we expect from Stewart this year?

[18IsTheMan]

He was a Clowney-esque player in high school, in that he pretty much did what he wanted against opposing teams. His highlight tape, like Clowney's, is one gross mismatch after another. No, not saying he's the next Clowney, just that he was that kind of dominant in high school. That said, what should we reasonably expect from him as a true freshman? There will obviously be a learning curve and adjustment to SEC speed, but Clowney put together a solid first year as a true freshman with 8 sacks and 36 total tackles.

Our D was not great last year...just a slight understatement there...so I wouldn't expect Stewart to have much difficulty logging extensive playing time.

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

Should expect no less. Other schools get freshman who perform when they arrive on campus after HS "dominate" career.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Should expect no less. Other schools get freshman who perform when they arrive on campus after HS "dominate" career.

Anytime we sign a big recruit, our fans start preaching patience before the ink is dry on the LOI. Seems fans of other schools just expect their 5* to come in an make an impact. Our fans always expect them to be developmental.

 

[Cackmandu]

I think our DE room got much much better through the portal (Kennerd, Geer and Edmond) then add Thomas Jr., Umeozula and Stewart and you've got some good competition for playing time and a nice rotation for game time!

 

[92Pony]

Anytime we sign a big recruit, our fans start preaching patience before the ink is dry on the LOI. Seems fans of other schools just expect their 5* to come in an make an impact. Our fans always expect them to be developmental.

This drives me crazy!! None of our Fr can be superstars, because Th3yre JuSt FreShMen! But 18-19yos at plenty of other places wreak havoc!

 

[18IsTheMan]

This drives me crazy!! None of our Fr can be superstars, because Th3yre JuSt FreShMen! But 18-19yos at plenty of other places wreak havoc!

Glad it's not just me.

 

[will110]

Anytime we sign a big recruit, our fans start preaching patience before the ink is dry on the LOI. Seems fans of other schools just expect their 5* to come in an make an impact. Our fans always expect them to be developmental.

Well whether you want to preach patience or not, it does seem like we're good at signing the developmental five stars. Nyck Harbor is a great example recently. It took Jordan Burch going to Oregon before he put up big numbers.

Hopefully Stewart is the exception to the recent rule.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Would love to see Stewart on one end and Harbor on the other.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Well whether you want to preach patience or not, it does seem like we're good at signing the developmental five stars. Nyck Harbor is a great example recently. It took Jordan Burch going to Oregon before he put up big numbers.

Hopefully Stewart is the exception to the recent rule.

With Nyck, we were moving him to a new position, so I guess I understand why there was some reservation with his development.

Didn't Burch play at the Hammond School? Stewart looks more complete to me at this stage than Burch did, but who can tell? Burch has not lived up to his lofty ranking coming out of high school.

 

[Atlanta Cock]

This drives me crazy!! None of our Fr can be superstars, because Th3yre JuSt FreShMen! But 18-19yos at plenty of other places wreak havoc!

Other places have better coaches.

 

[Roosterbell]

Harbor's five star ranking was from his potential at DE. I don't think he would have had a fifth based on his receiving ability. Just stating the obvious.

 

[Lurker123]

Has there been any serious talk of him moving back to DE?

 

[18IsTheMan]

Has there been any serious talk of him moving back to DE?

He was at WR to accommodate training for the Olympics, right? He couldn't put on DE weight and still train for track. Since the Olympic thing is dead for his time here, why shouldn't we move him back to his natural position where he was highly rated?

 

[gamecock stock]

Does Stewart need to put on a little more weight?

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

He was at WR to accommodate training for the Olympics, right? He couldn't put on DE weight and still train for track. Since the Olympic thing is dead for his time here, why shouldn't we move him back to his natural position where he was highly rated?

Hope the D coaches are thinking the same or we need to add 18 as an ''off-field analyst''.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Hope the D coaches are thinking the same or we need to add 18 as an ''off-field analyst''.

I guess if he had blown up at WR last year that would be one thing. Maybe it's a risky proposition to move him to DE at this point in the process after he hasn't trained at the position in over a year, but they better hope he really develops at WR in a hurry. Understandably, the coaches are enticed by his explosive speed at the WR position.

DE is his natural position and he has time to bulk up before fall.

I don't know.

 

[Lurker123]

Short term, wr seems to be the best idea. He's been working there for a year, and has the speed.

Long term? If he's really a 5 star DE, then he probably has more upside at that position. But he'd have to "start over" at that spot.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Short term, wr seems to be the best idea. He's been working there for a year, and has the speed.

Long term? If he's really a 5 star DE, then he probably has more upside at that position. But he'd have to "start over" at that spot.

He did play some WR in high school, but it seemed to be more a product of the fact that he was usually the best athlete on the field so they could play him wherever they wanted.

I guess it just depends on how far along the coaches feel he is at the WR position. Which position can he get up to speed on the fastest?

 

[adcoop]

He was at WR to accommodate training for the Olympics, right? He couldn't put on DE weight and still train for track. Since the Olympic thing is dead for his time here, why shouldn't we move him back to his natural position where he was highly rated?

...because we probably made promises to him regarding playing receiver and the days of coaches promising one thing and doing another are over. With the Transfer Portal as free as it is, a player just leaves if you break a promise. Also, I still think he has the best potential at WR on the team. Our WR room is kind of sparse.

 

[18IsTheMan]

...because we probably made promises to him regarding playing receiver and the days of coaches promising one thing and doing another are over. With the Transfer Portal as free as it is, a player just leaves if you break a promise. Also, I still think he has the best potential at WR on the team. Our WR is kind of sparse.

I get it and I can certainly see how his speed at WR is tantalizing. But if the purpose of him playing WR was to allow him to stay at track weight for the Olympics, is that even necessary anymore? The next summer Olympics are in 2028. He'll be done playing here by 2026, so he'd have plenty of time to train at his desired weight even if he played DE here.

I also agree we are sparse at WR, but we're kind of sparse everywhere.

 

[Cockypantherfan]

I think our DE room got much much better through the portal (Kennerd, Geer and Edmond) then add Thomas Jr., Umeozula and Stewart and you've got some good competition for playing time and a nice rotation for game time!

Because of our DE room this year being deeper I see less of an impact from Stewart numbers wise, but still think he'll make plays when he is in the game.

Maybe expect something like 25 tackles, 7 TFL, and 3-4 sacks... would still be a hell of a freshman year.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Short term, wr seems to be the best idea. He's been working there for a year, and has the speed.

Long term? If he's really a 5 star DE, then he probably has more upside at that position. But he'd have to "start over" at that spot.

Many speedy track stars have failed at WR because they can't get separation or catch the ball, but Nyck has shown some flashes of skills other than speed. I would like to see him be either a Clowney or Alshon impact player at the position of his choice.

 

[Lurker123]

...because we probably made promises to him regarding playing receiver and the days of coaches promising one thing and doing another are over. With the Transfer Portal as free as it is, a player just leaves if you break a promise. Also, I still think he has the best potential at WR on the team. Our WR room is kind of sparse.

You certainly can't force the position change like you could in years past. But conversations could be had along the lines of "if you want to play at the next level, this position is where you need to play".

Those are nothing new.

 

[gamecock stock]

I like speed at wide receiver. "Bullet" Bob Hayes was so fast, defenses could not keep up with him. His speed spread the defense and opened up the running game.

 

[CAROLINA COCKTAIL]

This drives me crazy!! None of our Fr can be superstars, because Th3yre JuSt FreShMen! But 18-19yos at plenty of other places wreak havoc!

Look, I'm not trying to be argumentative but, the exact same thing, in reflection, can be asked as to why do folks EXPECT some freshman to come in and lead us to the Promised Land? YES! aTm had a Johnny Football ... LOL ... and even he red-shirted his Frosh year.

Seriously, just asking .... who was OUR G.O.A.T. Freshman? ..... Todd Ellis ??? That would chap some butts!

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Look, I'm not trying to be argumentative but, the exact same thing, in reflection, can be asked as to why do folks EXPECT some freshman to come in and lead us to the Promised Land? YES! aTm had a Johnny Football ... LOL ... and even he red-shirted his Frosh year.

Seriously, just asking .... who was OUR G.O.A.T. Freshman? ..... Todd Ellis ??? That would chap some butts!

Tanneyhill was pretty good as a freshman.

 

[CAROLINA COCKTAIL]

Tanneyhill was pretty good as a freshman.

THANKS!!! But the question was OUR G.O.A.T. FRESHMAN. Todd E, is the ONLY QB who could qualify. AND I KNOW THAT UPSETS THE REDNECKS!!!

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

THANKS!!! But the question was OUR G.O.A.T. FRESHMAN. Todd E, is the ONLY QB who could qualify. AND I KNOW THAT UPSETS THE REDNECKS!!!

Tanneyhill won a bowl game. Why should your opinion upset anyone?