South Carolina’s star edge rusher Dylan Stewart is suspended indefinitely, coach Shane Beamer confirmed Sunday. This isn’t just about missing the Week 5 game against Kentucky, either. This is about a player who was supposed to be a top NFL prospect, making a massive, unacceptable mistake on national television.
Meltdown on the Field
What went down on Saturday during the Gamecocks’ 49-18 loss to Alabama was wild. Stewart was flagged multiple times throughout the game, including for roughing the passer. But the truly shocking moment? He straight up threw a punch at Alabama tight end Josh Ford. Yeah, Ford was wearing his helmet, but that doesn’t make it any less insane. Beamer was understandably furious after the game, calling the penalty “unacceptable.” And if that wasn’t enough drama, Stewart also had a heated argument with his own coaching staff when they tried to sub him out of the game at one point, eventually relenting and leaving the field. Talk about a total loss of composure!
NFL Dreams in Jeopardy?
This is a huge deal, not just for South Carolina’s season, but for Stewart’s future. He came into 2026 as a potential top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s big-time talent we’re talking about, a guy who put up 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2025, after an even bigger freshman year with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He’s got the numbers, no doubt. But this isn’t the kind of highlight reel NFL scouts want to see. Stewart had already missed the first two games of 2026 battling a back injury that had bothered him in 2025. Now, after only his second game back on the field, he pulls this kind of stunt.
Stewart won’t be playing against Kentucky, and frankly, who knows how long “indefinitely” will last. What’s at stake here is more than just a college game; it’s his reputation, his draft stock, and potentially millions of dollars. NFL teams watch everything, and this kind of behavior, especially from a projected top pick, is a giant red flag. He’s got a long road ahead to prove this was an isolated incident.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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