SPORTSVIVAL 2027 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILE
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
An explosive pass rusher with the talent to change an NFL defense
Position: EDGE
School: South Carolina
Class: Junior
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 250 pounds
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Friendship Collegiate Academy
NFL Draft Eligibility: 2027
There are defensive players who make tackles, and there are defensive players who force an offensive coordinator to change his entire protection plan. South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart has the tools to become the second kind.
Long, explosive and unusually flexible for his size, Stewart can turn the corner before an offensive tackle gets comfortable. When he combines that speed with his strength and ability to attack the football, he becomes a threat to end a possession on any snap.
His college career has also provided reminders that talent alone does not complete an NFL evaluation. Consistency, technique, health and discipline all belong in the discussion. For Sportsvival, Stewart remains one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft.
BACKGROUND AND RECRUIT PROFILE
Stewart arrived at South Carolina from Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C., carrying the expectations that follow a five-star recruit. He was already viewed as one of the premier defensive prospects in his recruiting class, with the frame and athletic ability to develop into a centerpiece along an SEC defensive front.
The appeal was easy to understand. Players his size rarely move with his combination of acceleration, balance and flexibility. South Carolina offered the opportunity to turn those physical gifts into production against some of the best offensive linemen in college football.
Stewart wasted little time showing that he could handle the competition. His freshman season established him as a player NFL evaluators would be following long before he became draft eligible.
COLLEGE CAREER
Stewart made an immediate impact in 2024, appearing in 13 games and finishing with 23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Those numbers were impressive for a freshman, particularly one competing in the SEC.
His ability to disrupt passing plays stood out beyond the sacks. Stewart could force quarterbacks to move, speed up their decisions and abandon the pocket, creating opportunities for the defenders around him.
In 2025, he finished with 33 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 11 appearances. The sack total declined, but his production behind the line of scrimmage remained substantial. Through his first two seasons, he had accumulated 22.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.
That established a strong foundation. The next step was turning stretches of dominant play into a more consistent weekly presence.
2026 SEASON
Through games played October 10, Stewart’s junior season had been interrupted by a back injury and a suspension, limiting his opportunities to build on that foundation. He had appeared in three contests, recording six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles.
His biggest performance came in South Carolina’s 38–19 victory at Florida on October 10. Stewart finished with five tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles, earning SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
The performance showed two different ways he can wreck a possession. He beat the right tackle for a strip sack, then later fought through a block and forced another fumble with Florida threatening near the end zone. His ability to finish plays by attacking the football adds considerable value to his pass-rushing talent.
Stewart also earned a place among Sportsvival’s Week 6 Impact HVAC Player of the Week runners-up. LaNorris Sellers received our award, but Stewart’s defensive contribution was a major part of the same victory.
WHAT SPORTSVIVAL LIKES
Explosive first step: Stewart can immediately put an offensive tackle under pressure. His acceleration forces blockers to gain depth quickly, which can create room for him to attack inside or convert his speed into power.
Bend and balance: Getting around an offensive tackle requires more than running fast. Stewart can lower his body, work underneath a blocker’s reach and redirect toward the quarterback without losing his balance. That ability gives his outside rush substantial upside.
Length and developing power: His frame gives him room to continue growing stronger. When his hands arrive accurately and he maintains leverage, he can create separation and disrupt a blocker’s position. The Florida game also offered an example of his ability to defeat a block against the run.
Turnover potential: Stewart has repeatedly shown that he understands the value of attacking the football. A sack can end a drive, but a forced fumble can change the entire game. His production in that area has been a consistent feature of his college career.
Scheme versatility: Our projection is that Stewart can contribute as a defensive end in an attacking four-man front or as a stand-up edge rusher. His best early NFL role would emphasize attacking the line of scrimmage and creating pressure.
AREAS STEWART CAN IMPROVE
A more dependable second move: NFL offensive tackles will occasionally stop his initial burst. Stewart needs a consistent answer when that happens, using his hands and an inside counter to keep the rush alive.
Leverage and run discipline: His height can become a disadvantage when his pads rise. Strong blockers can gain control of his chest, and an aggressive rush can leave space for a runner or mobile quarterback. Playing with better leverage and maintaining his assignment will help him become a more dependable defender on early downs.
Weekly consistency: The outstanding plays establish his ceiling. Sustaining his technique, effort and effectiveness throughout a game will determine how regularly he reaches it. Stewart has the ability to become a complete edge defender, but there is still development ahead.
Discipline and availability: Stewart’s suspension followed a punching incident against Alabama, and he missed the Kentucky game. That belongs in his evaluation because penalties and missed games affect the entire defense. NFL teams will also examine his back injury and medical history. How he responds over the remainder of the season will matter.
NFL COMPARISON
Sportsvival comparison: Danielle Hunter
Hunter is our stylistic comparison because of Stewart’s combination of length, explosive movement and developing power. Stewart has the frame to challenge offensive tackles with his reach, threaten the outside shoulder and generate force when he gets his hands into a blocker’s chest.
Like Hunter, Stewart offers the potential to develop into an edge defender who can win with both athleticism and strength. Continuing to improve his hand usage, counters and leverage would help him become a more complete player against the run and pass.
This is a comparison of physical traits and potential playing style. Stewart still has considerable development ahead before approaching Hunter’s NFL production and consistency.
2027 NFL DRAFT PROJECTION
Sportsvival’s early projection: Top 10 prospect, with top-five potential.
Stewart plays a premium position and possesses physical traits that are difficult to find. Those qualities give him a strong case to be one of the first defensive players selected if he enters the 2027 NFL Draft.
The rest of his evaluation will involve more than adding sacks. Sustained health, disciplined play, improved counters and consistent run defense would strengthen his case considerably.
For Sportsvival, he belongs near the top of the edge-rusher discussion alongside Texas standout Colin Simmons. Their final order will depend on how their complete evaluations develop through the season and the draft process.
SPORTSVIVAL FINAL TAKE
Dylan Stewart has the kind of ability that makes you stop watching the football and start watching the edge of the defensive line.
His burst gets your attention. His flexibility keeps it. His ability to knock the football loose can decide a game.
The challenge now is making those moments a dependable part of his weekly performance. Stewart still needs refinement, and his health and discipline deserve attention, but the upside is substantial. An NFL coaching staff could have a dangerous defensive building block if he brings those pieces together.
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