Versatility
The example everyone is going to use when talking about the type of wide receivers that Steve Sarkisian can develop is DeVonta Smith. The Heisman Trophy winner has the potential to be a top-three NFL draft pick and broke all kinds of Alabama records over his four years on campus.
One of the reasons Smith was such a good receiver was because of his ability to line up anywhere on the field and still win his battles. The same trait is going to be taken advantage of with Stewart. He can line up outside to get one-on-one with a corner or in the slot to create a major speed mismatch with a linebacker. Sarkisian will even motion Stewart into the backfield to receive screens and take off.
It's hard to imagine a play that could look more like how Sark used DeVonta Smith at Alabama than this one by @0fficial_evan showing off his big-play ability in space. Just an absolutely elite TD here. #22EFFECT #AllGasNoBrakes pic.twitter.com/VjmTTmeJnx
— Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) February 19, 2021
Like speed, this is something Texas’ wide receiver room missed with Tom Herman. Outside receivers remained outside and inside receivers remained inside with no positional flexibility. With the new offense headed by Sarkisian, the best receivers will play on the field despite their “positional role.” Stewart is going to be one of the many examples that we see over the years.
NEXT… Open field threat