Dylan Stewart reportedly set to return for South Carolina

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South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Dylan Stewart entered the season widely considered one of the top pass rushers in the country and a predicted first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Amidst a frustrating season for South Carolina, however, he was hit with a suspension last month, but it sounds like he’s already worked his way back into the starting lineup.

While head coach Shane Beamer announced an indefinite suspension for Stewart after his actions during the team’s win over Alabama, it sounds like he’ll be playing in this week’s game.

Stewart’s Suspension

Stewart began the season as one of the biggest names in college football, sitting atop several draft boards as a potential top pass-rusher in the 2027 NFL Draft class. However, following a series of high-profile incidents during the team’s loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide last month, Stewart was suspended.

During South Carolina’s loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Stewart punched an Alabama player, resulting in a one-game suspension from both South Carolina and the SEC. He was also seen getting into heated exchanges with coaches on the sideline.

Following the incident, Beamer handed Stewart an indefinite suspension that was separate from the one-game ban imposed by the SEC.

While Beamer did not provide a specific timeline for Stewart’s return when asked about his status lsat week, he emphasized the standards and expectations that every player is expected to uphold.

“He has to embody the standard of how we do things,” Beamer told ESPN’s Marty Smith. “If I believe he has learned and will be better for it, then I’m willing to have a conversation and talk about him potentially returning.

“His absence against Kentucky certainly doesn’t help us. He’s a first-round draft pick. But at the same time our players know there’s a standard and we are holding one of our most talented players accountable. That’s a strong statement to our team that accountability is real in this program.”

Stewart Set to Return

While Beamer initially listed Stewart’s suspension as indefinite, it sounds like it will only end up as a one-game suspension.

After initially reporting that Stewart was “on track” to return this week for South Carolina’s game against the No. 16 Florida Gators, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel confirmed this report on Friday afternoon.

“Per an ESPN source, star South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart is playing at Florida tomorrow. The expected is now official,” Thamel wrote in a post on X.

Stewart is widely considered one of the top pass rushers in the country. We’ll have to see what kind of impact he makes in Saturday’s game.

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