North Charlotte Today

Shemar Stewart, a South Florida native and promising NFL draft prospect, is known for his reserved demeanor and straightforward communication style. At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Stewart confirmed his participation in all on-field workouts with a simple "Of course," showing no need for further elaboration.

Stewart's journey to the spotlight began in Miramar, Florida, an area renowned for producing football talent. Despite facing socioeconomic challenges, he remained humble about his background: "I came from nothing," he stated without seeking sympathy. His early experiences in football were challenging; he recalled starting as a tackle at age eight without ever having watched a game due to not having cable. Initially struggling with the sport, Stewart's natural talent was evident to his father, who encouraged him to pursue it further.

Key turning points in Stewart's development included watching JJ Watt play on television and meeting Moe Marquez, his high school defensive line coach. Marquez became a mentor and father figure to Stewart, guiding him through the recruitment process and helping him become the nation's top edge rusher in 2022.

Stewart admires players like Myles Garrett and Julius Peppers for their skills and athleticism. He has worked hard to emulate their techniques while acknowledging his own potential: "I feel like my body and our athletic ability are pretty similar."

At 6-5 and weighing 267 pounds during the Combine, Stewart impressed with elite performances across various tests, including a 4.59-second 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical jump. His relative athletic score (RAS) of 9.99 ranks third among defensive ends since 1987.

Despite modest college statistics—65 tackles and 4.5 sacks over three years—Stewart remains confident in his abilities: "I wasn't a sack-chasing warrior... sometimes I just couldn't finish or couldn't just get there in time." He emphasizes the importance of run defense alongside pass rushing.

The Carolina Panthers are reportedly interested in improving their pass rush and run defense after finishing last season with low rankings in both areas. Stewart believes he can contribute immediately: "If you can't run defend, you can't pass rush."

As the draft approaches, Stewart aims to prove himself despite skepticism about his sack numbers: "It actually blows my mind... people that think I can't pass-rush." He remains focused on continuous improvement: "Either you're working with them, or you're sleeping."

NFL Network's Lance Zierlein highlighted Stewart's potential in his draft profile: "traits, versatility, and upside make his development a matter of when and not if."

With Pro Days upcoming and the draft nearing, Stewart is determined to fulfill his dreams of becoming an NFL player: "I wanted to be a first-round pick before I knew what a first-round pick was." For someone who started with little but determination, he's committed to reaching new heights: "My feeling is if I keep working I could potentially be a Hall of Famer one day."