Top Prospect from Washington, D.C., to Visit Alabama Football on Junior Day
Top-5 edge rusher Dylan Stewart will be attending Alabama football's Junior Day on March 4, per multiple reports. Stewart received an offer from the Crimson Tide on Jan. 25, 2022 and was re-offered on March 9.
The 6-foot-5, 235 pound prospect out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C., is ranked as the No. 1 junior in the state and the consensus No. 4 edge rusher in the nation.
Stewart's highlights showcase all the makings of a strong edge-rushing prospect, but he has some traits that are extremely unique for the position. One of Stewart's best traits is arguably the most undervalued part of the position: Awareness.
Every time he is doubled or in a stalemate in his highlights, he reads the running back's eyes and hips, escapes his assignment and makes the tackle (usually behind the line of scrimmage). On pass attempts, if the quarterback is looking in his area, he'll back off the blocker and has the speed to make a play on the receiver.
When edge rushers are doubled, they usually aren't able to move much to their left or right. Stewart is often in control in these situations and has the strength to move wherever he pleases.
Stewart is also very patient off the snap. The 4-star is able to quickly shed and make double moves to break away from the offensive tackle, but when the running back receives the handoff, Stewart will sometimes wait for him to make the first move instead of just risking a missed tackle.
On most snaps, though, Stewart is extremely explosive and gives the offensive tackle the impossible task of stopping him as he recorded 16 sacks in his junior year. His frequent trips to the backfield usually end with him going down low to aggressively take down the quarterback/running back, a fundamental part of the position.
Stewart will be in Tuscaloosa on March 4, alongside many other members of his class for Junior Day.
