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Dylan Stewart named On3 True Freshman of the Week, posts historic PFF grade

wesby: Wes Mitchell09/02/24WesMitchellGC
Dylan Stewart
Dylan Stewart (Photo by Katie Dugan/GamecockCentral)

South Carolina true freshman Dylan Stewart made a huge debut in the Garnet and Black on Saturday and on Monday the accolades are already rolling in.

After being named SEC co-Defensive Player of the Week, along with his teammate Kyle Kennard, Stewart was named On3’s True Freshman of the Week, according to Charles Power.

RELATED: PFF Grades: South Carolina’s Week 1 win over Old Dominion

Said Power:

Dylan Stewart was dominant as a pass rusher in his collegiate debut and played a massive role in South Carolina squeaking out a 23-19 win over Old Dominion. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect tallied two sacks and forced two fumbles in addition to four stops. He made a huge play midway through the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble that led to the game-winning score. Throughout the game, Stewart flashed a startling pass rush skill set with outstanding bend, first-step quickness and finishing ability. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder finished with a 97.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest of any player in the nation from week one.

A product of Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy, Stewart ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect in the 2024 On300. Stewart was the highest-rated prospect to sign with the Gamecocks in the internet recruiting era and was considered by On3 to be the most physically-developed 2024 EDGE prospect upon enrolling in college.

[Win two tickets to the South Carolina-LSU football game]

Stewart’s PFF grade was the best single-game grade by a Power Five EDGE since 2020, according to PFF’s Max Chadwick, and the highest of any player in Week 1 of the college football season.

“All week, we’ve been preaching, ‘This quarterback’s gonna run. I knew once the pocket collapsed, he was gonna step up,” Stewart said. “As soon as he stepped up, I punched the ball out. I’ve been trying to punch the ball out all game. So as soon as I saw an opportunity, I took it.”

After a narrow win to start the season, Stewart and the Gamecocks travel to Lexington, Ky. this upcoming weekend to take on Kentucky in the SEC opener for both teams. The Wildcats defeated Southern Miss 31-0 over the weekend.

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