South Carolina appears to be inching toward getting Dylan Stewart back on the field this Saturday against No. 16 Florida.
CBS Sports insider Matt Zenitz reported Wednesday afternoon that things are “trending towards” the star edge rusher playing for the Gamecocks in Gainesville, provided the next couple of days go smoothly. Zenitz also noted that Stewart practiced on Tuesday and again on Wednesday after missing last week’s game because of suspension.
Stewart’s status has been one of the biggest questions hanging over South Carolina’s trip to face the Gators. He was suspended after a chaotic Week 4 showing against Alabama, when he punched an Alabama player in the head after allowing a touchdown and later got into heated exchanges with multiple coaches after refusing to leave the field.
Shane Beamer first announced an indefinite suspension the Sunday after the incident, before that punishment was reduced to one game. Stewart served it during South Carolina’s Week 5 overtime loss to Kentucky.
If Stewart does return this weekend, it would give the Gamecocks back one of their most disruptive defenders. The former 5-star recruit has been a force since arriving in 2024, piling up 57 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in his career.
He’s also widely viewed as a first-round NFL Draft talent, with many analysts slotting him as the top pass rusher in the class. The Alabama incident and the suspension may have taken some shine off his stock, but a strong finish to the season could help him stay in that early-round conversation.
In Other News...
Dylan Stewart Returns To South Carolina With Bigger Questions Still Lingering
Dylan Stewart is set to be back on the field for South Carolinas upcoming game against Florida after serving a one-game suspension, giving Shane Beamer a key defender back at a time when the Gamecocks can use some stability. Beamer confirmed Stewart is expected to return after missing the previous game, and Stewart has already resumed practicing with the team as South Carolina turns the page to another important SEC test.
The return, though, does not erase the reasons his absence mattered in the first place, and it leaves the Gamecocks still managing the fallout from the earlier incidents that led to the suspension. South Carolina also enters the matchup with several other players listed as doubtful, so even with Stewart back in the mix, the roster situation remains unsettled heading into Florida. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Faces A Pressure Test That Could Deepen Everything
South Carolina heads into its matchup with Florida carrying plenty of weight on its shoulders, and not just because of what the game means in the standings. The Gamecocks have spent the week trying to steady themselves after recent struggles, while the noise around coaching uncertainty has only made the backdrop more tense. Florida brings an offense that can stress a defense in a hurry, which means South Carolina will need a cleaner, sharper performance than it has shown lately.
The matchup feels like more than a simple SEC midseason test, because the result could shape the mood around the program well beyond Saturday. South Carolina has enough pieces to make this interesting, but the margin for error is thin against a Florida team that can punish lapses. However this one plays out, the pressure surrounding the Gamecocks is not going away quietly, and the stakes make the game worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]