5-Star EDGE Dylan Stewart narrows his list to five schools

Dylan Stewart can go to almost any school in the country. The 6-foot-5=, 240-pound five-star EDGE out of Washington, D.C. Friendship Collegiate Academy has national offers, he has taken visits to double-digit schools and he is now ready to take that next step in his recruitment.

The No. 7 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking is down to five schools.

“Georgia, Maryland, Miami, Ohio State and South Carolina are my top five schools,” Stewart told On3. “I like the coaches at all five schools, and my visits to each school have been good. I have gotten it down to these schools and I plan to commit sometime before the season.”

His last official visit will go to South Carolina this weekend. Stewart has visited Columbia more than any other college campus. He is familiar with the staff, the campus and how the Gamecocks have recruited him.

“South Carolina has been consistent with me. Coach Shane Beamer and Coach Sterling Lucas have done a good job recruiting me. I have enjoyed my visits down there and I like what they are trying to build.”

Dylan Stewart breaks down other contenders

Prior to this visit to South Carolina, Stewart was back at Miami last weekend and Ohio State and Georgia to weekends before. The Hurricanes, Buckeyes and Bulldogs have made the final cut.

Miami pass-rush specialist Jason Taylor, an NFL Hall of Famer, is a key part of his recruitment.

“It would be great to play for a coach like Jason Taylor. He is one of the key reasons I still have Miami on the list. I feel he could help me develop.

Legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson is a big reason for his interest in the Buckeyes, who have developed some of the nation’s best pass-rushers in recent years.

“Ohio State is a great place with great people. I really like Coach Larry Johnson. I have spent time with him, he is a great coach and he has sent a lot of guys to the NFL.

Georgia, meanwhile, continues to impress him with its success on the field.

“Georgia goes hard. I like the way the coaches coach and players play at Georgia. They compete hard and that has stood out to me about Georgia.”

Maryland is the surprise school on this list. The star in the DMV has visited the local campus more times than he can count. He knows Mike Locksley and the staff in College Park well. The chance to stay home and be that hometown hero keeps the Terrapins in this race.