Dylan Stewart’s Calculated Loyalty: Why South Carolina’s Star Edge Stayed Home
If this college football offseason has demonstrated anything, it’s that—while the transfer portal remains open—fans must assume every player carries departure risk, regardless of stated intentions or signed commitments.
Even contract agreements offer limited security, as Duke quarterback Darian Mensah recently proved when entering the portal despite previously signing to return.
So when South Carolina edge coach Sterling Lucas departed for LSU in late December—before the transfer portal officially opened—Gamecock fans had every reason to feel anxious about star edge rusher Dylan Stewart’s future.
The questions seemed inevitable: Would Stewart remain in Columbia, or follow the coach who recruited him and cultivated their close relationship over two seasons?
The Decision That Mattered Most
Stewart provided his answer shortly after Lucas’s departure, signing an agreement to return to South Carolina for his junior season. More significantly in today’s volatile landscape, he remained a Gamecock when the transfer portal closed in mid-January—a commitment that carried weight beyond initial declarations.
“It was tough seeing (Lucas) leave,” Stewart told The State following a Saturday autograph signing at Lucky Strike, “but he did what I needed him to do. We did what we needed to do for each other. I feel like we put each other in a good spot and that’s still my guy.”
Stewart revealed Lucas contacted him before accepting the LSU position, and the young pass rusher encouraged his position coach to pursue what benefited him most.
The LSU Temptation Was Real
Despite their mutual respect and professional handling of the transition, Stewart acknowledged LSU actively pursued his services—and he genuinely considered the possibility.
“(There) was a possible chance (of following Lucas to LSU),” Stewart admitted. “But I thought about it. It’s (gonna be) my last year. I’ve got a place I can call home. No point in leaving, and I’m still going to do what I always dreamed of.”
Stewart’s two-year South Carolina resume speaks for itself: 12 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles—production that would have made him arguably the transfer portal’s top prospect had he entered.
Instead, Stewart remained in Columbia, maintaining his status as a projected top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft—a trajectory that continues inviting comparisons to Gamecock legend Jadeveon Clowney.
Maturity Over Mythology
This wasn’t blind loyalty or emotional attachment masquerading as commitment. Stewart’s decision reflected mature, calculated reasoning that weighed known certainties against uncertain possibilities.
He understands South Carolina’s environment—what it means to play under head coach Shane Beamer, the locker room culture, and daily life in Columbia. Departing would mean surrendering those familiarities for speculation that circumstances might improve elsewhere. Stewart didn’t view that as intelligent risk management.
“There’s great people (at South Carolina),” Stewart said. “And I know how bad other places can be and the stuff they don’t tell you about, you don’t know. The grass isn’t always greener.”
He continued: “You don’t know what you’re walking into (going to another program). I know what I have.”
The Value of Known Variables
Stewart’s perspective challenges the prevailing transfer portal mentality that prioritizes perceived upgrades over established foundations. Rather than chasing promises of superior coaching, facilities, or NIL opportunities at LSU or elsewhere, he chose stability and familiarity.
His reasoning reveals sophisticated understanding of college football’s current chaos: transferring guarantees nothing beyond disruption. New programs bring new coaching styles, different defensive schemes, unfamiliar teammates, adjusted living situations, and uncertain chemistry—all variables that could enhance or diminish performance and draft stock.
Stewart already possesses what matters most: a proven platform showcasing his elite abilities to NFL scouts, a coaching staff maximizing his talents, and an environment where he thrives personally and athletically.
Building on Clowney’s Legacy
The Clowney comparisons aren’t merely physical or statistical—they’re philosophical. Clowney famously remained at South Carolina for his junior season despite being projected as the top overall NFL Draft pick, choosing to complete his college experience rather than departing early.
Stewart’s decision to stay for his final season, despite portal temptations and coaching changes, reflects similar commitment to finishing what he started in Columbia. Like Clowney, Stewart recognizes South Carolina provides everything necessary to achieve his ultimate goal: maximizing NFL Draft position while representing a program and community that invested in his development.
The Bigger Picture
Stewart’s retention carries implications beyond individual success. His decision signals South Carolina’s ability to retain elite talent amid coaching turnover—a critical advantage in college football’s volatile landscape where staff departures often trigger roster exodus.
His loyalty also validates Beamer’s program culture and vision, demonstrating that South Carolina offers more than transactional relationships between coaches and players. Stewart’s willingness to remain despite Lucas’s departure suggests deeper institutional trust and confidence in the program’s trajectory.
As the 2025 season approaches, Stewart returns as South Carolina’s defensive cornerstone—a projected NFL first-rounder who chose familiarity over fantasy, certainty over speculation. His maturity in navigating the portal era’s temptations provides a blueprint for evaluating opportunities: sometimes the smartest move is recognizing when you’re already exactly where you need to be.
“You don’t know what you’re walking into,” Stewart reminded us. “I know what I have.”
In college football’s current chaos, that knowledge might be the most valuable commodity of all.
