South Carolina got a major boost heading into 2026, and it comes from one of their most disruptive forces on defense. EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart announced Tuesday evening that he’s running it back with the Gamecocks next season, opting to return rather than test the waters elsewhere.
This is big-time news for Shane Beamer’s program. Stewart’s presence off the edge has been a difference-maker since he arrived in Columbia, and his decision to stay gives South Carolina a proven playmaker to build around on defense.
Through two seasons in garnet and black, Stewart has racked up 56 total tackles, 22.5 of them for loss, and 11 sacks. This past season, he posted 33 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks - solid numbers, especially considering what he was playing through.
His sophomore year started with a bang. In Week 1 against Virginia Tech, Stewart made his presence felt early and often, finishing with seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack. That kind of performance helped earn him second-team All-SEC honors - no small feat in a conference loaded with future NFL talent.
But the real story of Stewart’s season might be what fans didn’t see on the stat sheet. In the second half of the year, he was battling a significant back injury - one that Shane Beamer later described as “basically a broken back.” Despite the pain, Stewart kept suiting up, showing the kind of toughness and leadership coaches dream about.
Beamer shared more details earlier this month, saying Stewart didn’t need surgery but did need extended rest. The medical team made it clear: playing wouldn’t make the injury worse, but healing would only come with time off.
Stewart could’ve easily shut things down. He didn’t.
Instead, he stayed on the field, even playing in the game against Ole Miss after that conversation with doctors and his family.
That kind of commitment tells you everything you need to know about Stewart - not just as a player, but as a teammate. Now, with a full offseason to recover, he’ll return to a defense that should benefit greatly from his experience, explosiveness, and edge-setting ability.
And with quarterback LaNorris Sellers also confirming he’ll be back in 2026, South Carolina suddenly has key leaders returning on both sides of the ball. For a team looking to take the next step in the SEC, that continuity matters.
Stewart’s return isn’t just a win for the Gamecocks - it’s a statement. He’s not done yet, and South Carolina’s defense is better for it.