South Carolina's Dylan Stewart added to major award watch list

South Carolina sophomore EDGE Dylan Stewart has earned his way onto the midseason watch list for one of college football’s biggest awards. On Tuesday, the Lombardi Award Committee announced that the Gamecock standout had been added to the midseason watch list for the prestigious honor.

The Lombardi Award is given annually to the top national player who plays on the line of scrimmage or at linebacker. The midseason watch list includes 65 players.

So far in the 2025 season, Stewart has logged 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss. He has a pair of forced fumbles and several bone-crushing hits.

Last year, Stewart’s South Carolina EDGE-mate Kyle Kennard was a finalist for the Lombardi Award.

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From the South Carolina Athletics release:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 14, 2025) – University of South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart has been added to the 2025 Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List, the Lombardi Award Committee announced today. The list features 65 of the nation’s top linemen and linebackers.

The players selected were evaluated based on their performances during the 2025 season to date, as well as their potential impact through the remainder of the campaign.

Stewart, a 6-5, 245-pound sophomore from Washington, D.C., is tied for third on the team with 27 tackles, more than he had for the entire 2024 season. He also leads the squad with 9.0 tackles for loss, tying for 10th in the country, and with 3.5 sacks. He also has recorded six quarterback hurries and has forced a pair of fumbles.

Stewart earned 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America honors after recording 10.5 tackles for loss including 6.5 sacks. He was a finalist for the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award and was a member of the SEC All-Freshman team a year ago. He has notched 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks in his first 19 games as a Gamecock.

Players from all FBS conferences and independents were considered, representing an elite group of athletes who embody the leadership, discipline, and excellence the Lombardi Award stands for.

The Lombardi Award, presented annually to the nation’s best college offensive or defensive lineman, will once again be awarded at a ceremony in Houston, Texas, on December 10, 2025.

Voters will select 12 semifinalists during the October 21–31 voting period, with semifinalists announced on November 4. Finalist voting will take place November 6–14, followed by the announcement of the four finalists on November 18. Winner voting runs from November 19–December 3, leading to the winner announcement on December 10.

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