Teammates Hope for Stewart’s Return, But Emphasize Accountability Above Individual Talent / sportsearchers.com

With Dylan Stewart ruled out for this week’s Kentucky game — both by South Carolina’s indefinite suspension and the SEC’s separate one-game ban — attention has shifted to what comes next for the talented but troubled edge rusher.

Beamer’s Standard for Reinstatement

Head coach Shane Beamer outlined what he needs to see before Stewart can return: “Just show that he can embody the standard of what we want this program to be about on and off the field. That’s what I want to see… The right thing to do is the hard thing to do, and that’s to sit him down. And hopefully this will be an opportunity for him to learn and be better going forward, whether that’s at South Carolina or when he gets to the next level.” As of Tuesday, no decision had been finalized: “He’s not with the team right now. His role or involvement on this team will be decided by me. Right now he’s not with the football team this week.”

Teammates Support the Discipline

Despite Stewart’s talent, teammates who spoke Tuesday made clear the suspension was justified. Offensive lineman Nolan Hay put it plainly: “He’s a great player. We’re gonna miss him very much. But at the end of the day, you can’t put yourself above the team. That’s why there are rules set in place, so that people who are as good as him are set to the same standards as everyone else.”

Hoping for Stewart’s Return, But Acknowledging It’s Out of Their Hands

Defensive tackle Tomiwa Durojaiye expressed genuine hope Stewart eventually rejoins the team, while acknowledging the decision belongs to the coaching staff: “I’d love to have Dylan Stewart back, but that’s not on me — that’s not for me to decide. There are some things that like Dylan, he just has to get right. There are some things you have to fix and express yourself.” Durojaiye also put the situation in broader perspective regarding Stewart’s future prospects, without letting that outweigh team standards: “The most important thing is the team. Like I’ll be real with you guys: Dylan Stewart will be a first-round draft pick. But at the end of the day, Carolina is No. 1. He won’t be the first first-round draft pick and he won’t be the last first-round draft pick to come through Carolina.”

Stewart’s Presence — and Absence — From Team Meetings

Stewart was present in Sunday’s team meeting when Beamer announced the suspension, but with Mondays typically an off day for players, he was not present Tuesday when his situation was discussed again with teammates.

Beamer Expresses Genuine Concern for Stewart

Despite handing down the punishment, Beamer made clear his personal feelings toward Stewart remain warm, even as he defended the necessity of the discipline: “They care about Dylan. I care about Dylan. Dylan is getting butchered, I’m sure, nationally. I hurt for him because Saturday night was not acceptable, but he’s a good kid. It breaks my heart and I hurt for him and we’re trying to help him through this situation. That’s what our players understand. They care about Dylan, we all care about Dylan, but we also care about the team and what we look like on the field and performing.”

A Clear Message on Accountability

Beamer closed with a firm statement on the program’s non-negotiable standards, regardless of a player’s talent level: “There is an accountability level that is demanded regardless of who you are and how good of a player you are. That’s what I conveyed the team and that’s what I conveyed to Dylan.” With Stewart’s future still undecided, South Carolina now moves forward without one of its most talented defenders as it looks to snap its two-game SEC losing streak against Kentucky.