Confidence oozed from Shemar Stewart as he addressed reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. The top prospect vocalized his bravado by stating he will “bring hell to” teams that snub him in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“If you don’t pick me, just know I’m bringing hell to your city,” Stewart said at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Advertisement
Stewart is a projected first-round pick in most mock drafts, with projections ranging from the Top 10 into the late 20s. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive end totaled just 4.5 sacks over 37 collegiate appearances for the Texas A&M Aggies, but believes he is one of the best defensive prospects of the draft class.
“I wasn’t a sack-chasing warrior,” Stewart said said. “I just wanted to become the best player for my team. Sometimes the stats don’t show that.”
He mentioned the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals as three of the teams with which he met this week.
We know a QB hates to see Shemar Stewart coming
SEC Network+#GigEm | #BTHObowlinggreen pic.twitter.com/zQsLeVoV0Y— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 22, 2024
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Stewart continues to receive praise for his first-step burst, bend and ability to drive blockers into the backfield. NFL decision-makers most likely will covet his blend of length, strength and speed. He showcased his abilities last month at the Senior Bowl, likely boosting his draft stock.
“Staying disciplined is a big thing for a defense because at the end of the day, if one person on defense doesn’t do his job, the whole defense is screwed,” Stewart said. “Sometimes you just have the play your cap, be your role, and somebody else is going to shine.”
He said he is willing to drop to 250 pounds if necessary to fill a need for a prospective NFL team. He also pointed to his willingness to stop the run as one of his attributes.
“If you can’t run defend, you can’t pass rush,” Stewart said. “If you wanna just be a pass rusher, but can’t run defend, how are you going to get on the field?”
Penn State’s Abdul Carter, a potential No. 1 overall pick, Tennessee’s James Pearce, Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Marshall’s Mike Green, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and Nic Scourton, Stewart’s Aggies teammate, are among the other top defensive end prospects in the draft class. Advertisement
“I feel like my ceiling, if I keep working, I could potentially be a Hall of Famer one day,” Stewart said. “I feel like nobody can stop me but me.”
