BREAKING: South Carolina Edge Rusher Dylan Stewart Earns Spot on Prestigious Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team for 2025 Season

South Carolina football’s 2025 campaign hasn’t even officially begun, but the honors are already rolling in for one of the Gamecocks’ most electrifying players. Sophomore edge rusher Dylan Stewart was named to the prestigious Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team, cementing his status as one of college football’s top rising stars and providing South Carolina fans even more reason for optimism heading into the new season.

Stewart’s inclusion on the Walter Camp Preseason All-America roster is both historic and significant for the Gamecocks program. It represents not only national recognition for one of their own but also a signal that Shane Beamer’s vision for elevating South Carolina football is materializing on the national stage.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation, one of the most respected organizations in the sport, unveiled its Preseason All-America Team on Tuesday morning. The list features standout athletes from across the country, and Stewart’s name stands tall among the game’s most impactful defensive players.

For Stewart, the honor caps off a meteoric rise from highly touted high school prospect to one of college football’s most feared defenders—all within just over a year. His journey is a testament to both his raw talent and relentless work ethic, and his rapid ascent is fueling growing expectations in Columbia and beyond.

A Star is Born in Columbia

When Stewart signed with South Carolina as part of the 2024 recruiting class, Gamecock fans knew they were getting a special player. The former five-star recruit out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C., was widely considered one of the top defensive prospects in the country. His combination of size, speed, and technical polish made him a cornerstone of Beamer’s ambitious recruiting efforts.

But few could have predicted just how quickly Stewart would adapt to the college game. As a true freshman in 2024, he burst onto the scene, finishing with 9.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and countless disruptive plays that changed the complexion of games. His performance earned him Freshman All-SEC honors and placed him firmly on the radar of national analysts and scouts.

The recognition from the Walter Camp Foundation underscores how Stewart’s impact transcended the typical learning curve for first-year players. He didn’t just contribute—he dominated. His motor, versatility, and ability to wreck opposing backfields became a defining feature of South Carolina’s defense.

Now, heading into his sophomore season, Stewart isn’t just viewed as a promising young player—he’s considered one of the best in the country, regardless of class.

South Carolina’s Defensive Resurgence

Stewart’s emergence is also symbolic of the broader defensive resurgence taking place under Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White. The Gamecocks have steadily been assembling a defense built on speed, physicality, and depth, with Stewart positioned as the face of that transformation.

Last season, South Carolina’s defense showed flashes of brilliance, often anchored by Stewart’s presence on the edge. His ability to pressure quarterbacks, set the edge in the run game, and demand extra attention from opposing offensive lines freed up opportunities for his teammates and made life difficult for some of the SEC’s top offenses.

With Stewart now entering his second year, expectations are sky-high for both him and the Gamecocks’ defense. Coaches believe Stewart’s offseason development, combined with added experience across the defensive front, will make South Carolina an even more formidable opponent in 2025.

If the Gamecocks hope to contend in the brutal SEC landscape and make noise on the national stage, Stewart’s play will be central to that mission.

National Spotlight and NFL Potential

The Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team is often seen as a predictor of future awards, All-Conference honors, and even NFL Draft stock. For Stewart, the inclusion on such a prestigious list after just one college season speaks volumes about how he’s perceived by national evaluators.

Scouts and draft analysts have already begun projecting Stewart as a future first-round NFL Draft pick, should he continue on his current trajectory. His elite athletic traits, high football IQ, and ability to impact games as both a pass rusher and run defender have drawn comparisons to some of the NFL’s top edge rushers.

But while professional aspirations loom on the horizon, Stewart and the Gamecocks remain focused on the task at hand—building a winning culture in Columbia and competing at the highest level this season.

In interviews, Stewart has been quick to deflect personal praise, often emphasizing team success over individual accolades. That mindset has only endeared him further to his coaches and teammates.

“Dylan’s one of those rare players who combines freakish athletic ability with incredible humility and work ethic,” head coach Shane Beamer said following the announcement. “He’s earned everything that’s coming his way, and we’re proud to have him representing South Carolina on a national stage.”

South Carolina’s Growing National Respect

Stewart’s recognition also marks a broader trend for South Carolina football. In recent years, the Gamecocks have steadily increased their presence in national conversations, fueled by strong recruiting classes, marquee wins, and high-profile individual performers.

Having a player like Stewart named to the Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team boosts South Carolina’s visibility and reinforces the message that the program is building something special under Beamer’s leadership.

The Gamecocks haven’t had a defensive player earn national preseason honors of this magnitude since the days of Jadeveon Clowney, whose exploits at South Carolina turned him into a household name and eventual No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.

While Stewart is carving his own unique path, the parallels are hard to ignore. Like Clowney, Stewart arrived in Columbia with sky-high expectations, and like Clowney, he is delivering in spectacular fashion.

SEC Competition and the Road Ahead

The Southeastern Conference is never short on elite talent, and Stewart’s inclusion among the top players nationally reflects the level of competition he faces on a weekly basis. The SEC boasts some of the best offensive lines, quarterbacks, and schemes in college football, making Stewart’s freshman-year impact even more impressive.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Stewart is expected to be at the forefront of South Carolina’s efforts to climb the SEC standings and challenge traditional powerhouses. The Gamecocks’ schedule is as daunting as ever, with matchups against Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and other national contenders.

For South Carolina to emerge as a true threat, Stewart’s disruptive presence off the edge will be crucial. His ability to collapse pockets, generate turnovers, and create momentum-changing plays could swing the outcome of key games.

Additionally, Stewart’s leadership is beginning to evolve, with coaches noting his increased vocal presence in the locker room and on the practice field. As one of the team’s most recognizable stars, his influence extends beyond the stat sheet.

Building on Momentum

With preseason camp approaching, Stewart and the Gamecocks are focused on preparation and execution. The spotlight from the Walter Camp honor adds external attention, but inside the program, the emphasis remains on daily improvement and team success.

For Stewart personally, the challenge is to elevate his game even further—to build on his freshman foundation and assert himself as not just a top SEC defender, but one of the best in the entire country.

If his first year is any indication, Stewart is more than capable of meeting those lofty expectations. His combination of natural ability, technical development, and relentless motor makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses and a cornerstone for South Carolina’s future.

As the 2025 season inches closer, all eyes will be on Dylan Stewart—now a Walter Camp Preseason All-American—and the Gamecocks as they look to turn potential into performance, and recognition into results.

For South Carolina fans, Stewart’s ascent is more than just individual success—it’s a symbol that the program is headed in the right direction, with one of the nation’s most dynamic defenders leading the charge.