Evan Stewart garnering attention from top programs as best available transfer portal player
When Walter Nolen committed to Ole Miss, a new player earned the title of best available player in the NCAA transfer portal. Former Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart is still searching for a new home and according to On3’s Pete Nakos, top programs are after him. And rightfully so — Stewart played well during his two seasons in College Station while still having an incredibly high ceiling if put in the right situation.
After officially entering the portal, Alabama and Texas were the two names rumored to be in the running for Stewart. Those two were finalists in his high school recruitment before Texas A&M was ultimately the landing spot. Stewart was even committed to the Longhorns during the process.
But Nakos does not believe Stewart will wind up in Austin or Tuscaloosa. No official group has been established nor have visits been set up but non-Bama and Texas programs are going to be in the running.
“I think the best player still on the board is probably Evan Stewart,” Nakos said during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “I’ve heard Texas and Alabama rumored. And I’ve also been told by sources that those at not really viable options. In recent days, I’ve heard Florida State thrown out there. I’ve heard Ole Miss. I’ve heard Tennessee. I’ve heard USC. I’ve heard Oregon.
“I think we’ll get a better feel in the days to come but I will tell you right now. I don’t think he lands at Texas or Alabama.”
Due to injuries, Stewart only played in eight games this past season. He caught 38 passes for 514 yards, both being lower than his freshman haul back in 2022. Stewart did double his touchdown total though, snagging four.
All of the programs Nakos mentioned are expected to have high-flying offenses heading into 2024. Ole Miss could be a “fun” landing spot for Stewart, especially with Lane Kiffin already making some monster additions through the portal. Tre Harris from last year returns and Juice Wells is moving to Oxford from Columbia, SC.
However, Florida State might be the one with an opportunity to lay out a blueprint for Stewart thanks to Keon Coleman.
“I think what Mike Norvell and Florida State has built is something that a lot of players have respect for,” Nakos said. “I think that Tallahassee could be the kind of place where Evan goes in and kind of meshes with the culture and stuff. And then find some success on the field and goes the Keon Coleman-mold, per se.”
Stewart is going to be a wanted man all over the country. We saw with Coleman how a single receiver can change the dynamic of an offense and elevate it to an elite level. Norvell could want to put Stewart in a similar situation and other head coaches will be attempting to have their own chance at it.
All there is to do with Stewart at the moment is sit and wait. Nakos views him as the next big transfer portal domino, with somebody landing a receiver with the ability to be elite.