South Carolina Gamecocks Star Edge Rusher Dylan Stewart Emerges as Surprise Heisman Trophy Value Pick Ahead of 2025 Season
As the college football world slowly shifts its focus from spring camps to the approaching 2025 season, a surprising name has begun circulating in early Heisman Trophy conversations. That name belongs not to a quarterback or running back, but to South Carolina’s electric sophomore edge rusher, Dylan Stewart. While the Heisman Trophy has traditionally been the realm of offensive stars, the buzz around Stewart as a legitimate dark horse candidate speaks volumes about the kind of impact he’s expected to have in the coming season.
Dylan Stewart came to Columbia as one of the crown jewels of South Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class, a five-star prospect from Washington D.C. with offers from every blue blood program in the country. Choosing Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks over the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State raised plenty of eyebrows, but Stewart made it clear he wanted to build something special in Columbia—and in just one season, he’s well on his way to doing just that.
In 2024, Stewart wasted no time making his presence felt. As a true freshman, he recorded double-digit sacks, led the SEC in tackles for loss among freshmen, and even forced multiple fumbles in key matchups. More than just the statistics, though, was the way he consistently disrupted offenses, drawing double-teams, altering game plans, and elevating the Gamecocks’ defensive identity to one of the more aggressive and dynamic units in the conference.
Entering 2025, national analysts have begun to take serious notice. While it’s still rare for defensive players to break into the Heisman conversation—let alone edge rushers—there’s precedent. Most notably, Michigan’s Charles Woodson won the award in 1997 as a cornerback/returner. More recently, players like Ndamukong Suh, Tyrann Mathieu, Chase Young, and Aidan Hutchinson have made serious runs at becoming finalists. Stewart, with another leap forward in performance and a few nationally televised highlight-reel games, could realistically add his name to that shortlist.
So what exactly makes Dylan Stewart a value pick for the 2025 Heisman Trophy? First, there’s the raw talent. Standing at 6-foot-5 and nearly 250 pounds with elite burst, bend, and violent hands, Stewart has the prototypical NFL frame and explosiveness. Scouts have compared his skillset to a young Myles Garrett or Von Miller. What separates him, though, is his motor and instincts—he’s not just fast and strong, he plays every down with calculated ferocity.
Second, the situation around Stewart sets him up for potential national recognition. South Carolina’s 2025 schedule is loaded with high-visibility games: Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, and Texas A&M all loom on the calendar. If Stewart delivers big-time performances in those contests—particularly in nationally televised slots—he could create the kind of narrative momentum needed to push a defensive player into Heisman discussions. Highlight-reel sacks, game-changing turnovers, and perhaps even a defensive touchdown or two would go a long way.
Third, there’s the storyline. Heisman campaigns are often as much about narrative as performance, and Stewart’s tale is tailor-made for media attention. A highly touted prospect who chose South Carolina over powerhouse programs, immediately produced as a freshman, and now leads a resurgent Gamecocks defense in Year 3 of Shane Beamer’s tenure—that’s compelling. Add in the fact that South Carolina hasn’t had a legitimate Heisman candidate in years, and Stewart’s rise becomes even more appealing to voters looking for fresh faces.
Oddsmakers have taken note, too. While quarterbacks like Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck, and Shedeur Sanders remain at the top of early Heisman betting boards, Stewart’s odds have dramatically improved over the offseason. In several sportsbooks, he’s now considered one of the top non-quarterback candidates, with better odds than many blue-chip running backs or wide receivers. That shift reflects both Stewart’s immense talent and the growing realization that a defensive superstar can no longer be ignored in the Heisman conversation.
Still, for Stewart to actually win the Heisman—a feat no full-time defensive player has accomplished since Woodson—he’ll need more than just sacks and disruption. He’ll need to affect games in multiple ways: forcing turnovers, scoring touchdowns, perhaps even contributing on special teams. There’s speculation that the Gamecocks staff might experiment with using Stewart in situational offensive roles, such as goal-line tight end or even kickoff return, to bolster his candidacy. While that may sound gimmicky, it wouldn’t be unprecedented—and it might be exactly what’s needed to make him unforgettable in the eyes of voters.
There’s also the team component. The Heisman Trophy often favors players on winning teams, particularly those in contention for a playoff berth. South Carolina’s overall team performance in 2025 will play a huge role in Stewart’s candidacy. If the Gamecocks can pull off a 9- or 10-win season and compete for the SEC East crown, Stewart’s stock will skyrocket. His dominance will be viewed not as an individual outlier, but as the engine behind a successful team effort.
Behind the scenes, it’s clear South Carolina is embracing the buzz. The Gamecocks’ official social media channels have increasingly featured Stewart in promotional content, teasing his dominance during spring ball and hyping up his potential as one of the faces of college football. The coaching staff has raved about his leadership growth, his work ethic, and his impact on younger players. In many ways, Stewart has already become the heart and soul of this Gamecocks team.
The ripple effects of Stewart’s emergence could be enormous. A successful Heisman run would be a massive recruiting tool for South Carolina, showing elite defensive prospects that they can thrive—and get national attention—while playing in Columbia. It would also mark a cultural shift in Heisman voting, signaling a greater openness to awarding defensive excellence in an era dominated by offensive stats.
Yet even if Stewart falls short of the Heisman podium, just being in the conversation would be historic. It would affirm that the best players in college football aren’t limited by position or offensive production. It would challenge the media and voters to think beyond box scores and appreciate the totality of a player’s impact. And most importantly, it would cement Stewart’s status as one of the most exciting and influential players in the sport.
As summer workouts begin and preseason watchlists are finalized, Dylan Stewart’s name will only continue to rise. If he stays healthy, continues to develop, and leads South Carolina to meaningful victories, there’s every reason to believe he could become one of the first true defensive Heisman finalists of the College Football Playoff era. Whether or not he hoists the trophy in December, he’s already redefining what’s possible for defenders in the modern game.
In the end, what makes Dylan Stewart such an intriguing value pick isn’t just his physical gifts or production—it’s the convergence of talent, opportunity, narrative, and timing. With the college football world shifting and expanding, the door is finally open for a dominant edge rusher to crash the Heisman party. Don’t be surprised if Dylan Stewart is the one who walks through it.
