South Carolina star freshman named Shaun Alexander Award finalist
On Wednesday, amidst National Signing Day hysteria, some other South Carolina football news broke. Gamecock star freshman EDGE Dylan Stewart was named a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Award.
Named for the former Alabama Crimson Tide and NFL running back, the Alexander Award goes to the top freshman in college football. Stewart was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week twice this season, once following the season opener against Old Dominion and then again after the win over Texas A&M.
Stewart made a huge impact in his first year in garnet and black. Through the end of the regular season, the former 5-star pass rusher logged 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He also posted one of the best pressure rates in all of college football, including forcing Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik into a poor late-game throw, leading to Demetrius Knight’s Palmetto Bowl-winning interception.
The Shaun Alexander Award will announce its winner on December 26th.
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Official the USC Athletics press release:
University of South Carolina Edge rusher Dylan Stewart has been named one of five finalists for the 7th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced today. The award is presented to the outstanding freshman player in college football.
Stewart, a 6-6, 248-pounder from Washington, D.C., recorded 20 tackles in 2024 including 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He was credited with four quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was recognized as the Alexander Freshman of the Week twice, following his performances against Old Dominion and again against Texas A&M.
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The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. Past winners include: Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) 2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) 2022 and Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) 2023.
“Congratulations to this year’s Shaun Alexander Award Top 5 Finalists,” said Alexander. “I’ve enjoyed watching this year’s top 5 impact college football as they have put on some of the best collegiate performances I’ve seen this season. I’m confident these guys will continue to perform at an elite level for years to come. Good luck to the winner!”
Stewart and the No. 13/12 Gamecocks (9-3, 5-3 SEC) await their bowl destination, which will be announced on Sunday.
