Dylan Stewart Latest in Pattern of On-Field Lapses
Dylan Stewart historical in-games issues is virtual.
South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart has been suspended indefinitely following a series of incidents during the Gamecocks’ 49-18 loss to Alabama, with head coach Shane Beamer ruling him out of this week’s game against Kentucky. A decision on Stewart’s future with the program is expected later this week.
Beamer’s Response
Beamer didn’t mince words postgame, making clear the behavior violated program standards: “There’s a standard of how we do things in this program, and that was not it last night.”
What Happened Against Alabama
Stewart’s night was marked by multiple lapses in composure. He drew a roughing-the-passer penalty, engaged in a heated sideline argument with Beamer, and pushed freshman Julian Walker away when coaches attempted to substitute him out. In the fourth quarter, he threw an uppercut at Alabama tight end Josh Ford’s helmet. Ford later claimed Stewart punched him three times during the game — yet Stewart was not ejected, a decision that surprised the ESPN broadcast crew.
A Recurring Pattern
The incident is only the latest in a history of emotional outbursts. In the 2025 loss to Vanderbilt, Stewart was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected after shoving offensive tackle Bryce Henderson in front of a referee. As a true freshman in 2024, he drew a 15-yard taunting penalty against Ole Miss after standing over quarterback Jaxson Dart and pretending to shoot him with an imaginary shotgun during a 27-3 loss.
The Gun Celebration Controversy
Just minutes after that penalty, Stewart tackled Ole Miss running back Matt Jones for a loss and repeated the same fake-gun celebration, prompting former Gamecock Mike Davis to publicly urge him on social media to stop, calling the gesture a guaranteed penalty. Beamer addressed the celebration in the days following, calling it unacceptable and noting Stewart was punished in-house, while also adding: “Dylan Stewart is a really good kid.”
The Bigger Picture
For a defender widely viewed as one of South Carolina’s most talented players and a key piece of the defense, the repeated pattern of undisciplined behavior has become a genuine concern. With an indefinite suspension now in place and his future undecided, Stewart’s status looms as a major storyline for a South Carolina team already dealing with a 2-2 record and 0-2 SEC start.
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