The countdown to Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener against Notre Dame is nearing single digits.
Ten days remain before the 7th-ranked Fighting Irish head to College Station for a primetime showdown. New Aggies head coach Mike Elko has completed the long journey to accepting the position, going through his first offseason, and finishing his first fall practice period with the team this month.
Aggies Wire will focus on one player daily for the next ten days, ranking the Top 10 players on the 2024 roster. Coming in at No. 8 on the list, junior defensive end Shemar Stewart is primed to finally break out after two seasons with the program, especially under the guidance of Elko and new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.
During his final year under former D-coordinator D.J. Durkin, Stewart, who was misused as a pass rusher, only recorded 11 tackles, five solo tackles, and 1.5 sacks. However, Stewart is determined to finish the job once he reaches the backfield, as the junior added more mass this offseason to his now intimidating 6-6, 290-pound frame.
With the addition of former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten in sacks (10) last season, Stewart’s lofty goal of double-digit sacks isn’t far-fetched when accounting for his supporting cast. During the start of fall practice, Jay Bateman had this to say regarding Stewart’s immense potential:
“I told a scout, ‘If you gave me and you two hours in the lab creating a player, it would look like Shemar Stewart.'”
“I think you will see a problem. If I am an OC, I want to know where that guy is.”
How Elko and Bateman will deploy Stewart along the defensive line will be answered once SEC play begins. The A&M’s D-line will likely rotate throughout the season to keep Stewart and Scourton fresh for third-down pass rush opportunities.
Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Florida out of the 2022 recruiting class, Stewart’s strong hands and impressive athleticism at his size make him a tough matchup for any offensive lineman that crosses his path in 2024.
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