Dylan Stewart, a standout edge rusher for the South Carolina Gamecocks, has often been predicted to be among the top picks in the 2027 NFL mock drafts. However, a recent incident has cast uncertainty on his future prospects.

During a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, Stewart was ejected after striking the helmet of tight end Josh Ford. The incident escalated as he argued with his coaches on the sidelines. This behavior led to an indefinite suspension, announced by South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer at a press conference.

I’ll make the decision on what his future looks like beyond this week here in the next day or so. Still having some meetings and talking with him, but he won’t play this week versus Kentucky. There’s a standard of how we do things in our program and that was not it last night, Beamer said, as per 247 Sports.

Beamer emphasized that the suspension extended beyond the altercation itself. Accountability is a core value of the program, and Stewart’s actions did not align with those standards. Stewart, although not the first football player to engage in such conduct, must face the consequences of his actions.

Stewart gained attention with an impressive performance during his freshman year, recording 6.5 sacks and 23 total tackles in 2024. In 2025, he added 4.5 sacks and 33 total tackles to his record. Recognized for his talents, he earned a second-team All-SEC selection and an honorable mention All-American by college football expert Phil Steele.

The suspension leaves questions about Stewart’s return to the field this season. As the South Carolina Gamecocks prepare to face Kentucky, his absence is notable. The team’s current record stands at 2-2 following their loss to Alabama.