As the college football offseason hits full stride, two young edge rushers have made it clear they’re not just part of the future - they’re already shaping the present. Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart, both true freshmen, have earned national recognition for their standout debut seasons, landing on multiple Freshman All-America teams and turning heads across the country.
Let’s start with Stewart, who’s been nothing short of a revelation for Maryland. The former three-star recruit out of Concordia Prep in Towson, Maryland, wasn’t exactly a household name when he arrived in College Park.
But by season’s end, he was rewriting the program’s record books. Stewart racked up 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks - both team highs - and set a new program record for most TFLs in a season by a freshman, breaking a mark that had stood since 1979.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
The Athletic named Stewart a first-team Freshman All-American, noting that no freshman edge rusher in the country generated more quarterback pressures (40) this season. That’s elite company, and it speaks volumes about both his motor and his technique. For a player who was once considered an under-the-radar signee, Stewart has quickly become one of the most disruptive young defenders in the nation.
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley saw this coming. Even before Stewart played a snap, Locksley praised his maturity and leadership - rare traits for a freshman.
“He’s made of the right stuff,” Locksley said before the season. “He’s added a maturity level that you don’t typically see, especially from a leadership standpoint, with young players.”
Then there’s Zahir Mathis, another freshman edge who made a major impact despite battling through injuries late in the year. Mathis still managed to post six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, even while missing nearly two full games. His six sacks ranked sixth nationally among freshmen, and his 31 quarterback pressures were the second-most among all first-year players, according to PFF.
Mathis’ performance also earned him semifinalist honors for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award - a nod to just how disruptive he was when healthy. Like Stewart, Mathis came in ready to contribute, and Locksley didn’t hesitate to highlight his potential during the season.
“There’s no doubt he’s one of those guys that has the ability to come in as a pass-rusher and have an immediate impact,” Locksley said. “He’s a lot more mature than what his age shows.
Anybody that’s spent any time with this kid knows - he’s made up of the right stuff.”
With both Stewart and Mathis making noise on the national stage, Maryland suddenly finds itself with one of the most exciting young pass-rushing duos in the country. And the future could get even brighter. Five-star edge rusher Zion Elee is set to join the program in January, adding another high-ceiling talent to a group that’s already exceeding expectations.
If Stewart and Mathis return in 2026 - and that’s the current outlook - Maryland could be looking at its most dynamic pass-rushing unit in over a decade. As the Terrapins finalize their 2026 recruiting class, Coach Locksley has been clear about the next phase of the program’s development: building around game-wreckers on the edge who can change the outcome of a play - or a season - in a single snap.
For now, Stewart and Mathis have set the tone. And if what we saw this year is just the beginning, Maryland’s defense might be on the verge of something special.