The state of Florida is consistently a hotbed for premier college football talent, and they can now boast that one of the best high school juniors in the nation is one of their own.
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Shemar Stewart, a strongside defensive end for Monsignor Pace High School in Miami Gardens, had this honor bestowed upon him by 247Sports.
A Opa Locka, Florida, native, Stewart is getting the attention he deserves from a multitude top programs. He already has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Utah.
https://twitter.com/ShemarStewart14/status/1299019724806815745?s=20
Of those potential suitors, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, and Penn State are listed in the best position to land the defensive lineman listed at 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds.
As you may expect, he is a five-star recruit and is the highest-rated player in Florida. The craziest part of this story: he is still over a year away from his high school graduation.
Shemar Stewart Recruiting
Top 2022 DE Shemar Stewart (@ShemarStewart14) is a grown man. Will be a five-star when it's all said and done, IMO. Has everything you want in a blue chip prospect.
📸📸📸 pic.twitter.com/EXVjhbdyc7
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) May 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/ShemarStewart14/status/1315377065324142594?s=20
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Shemar Stewart, the nation's No. 4 overall recruit, has been labeled a "brutish" pass rusher, and it's rather on-the-nose description for his playing style.
The edge rusher bullies his way into backfields and stops plays before they can even get developed. He has become known for his speed and athleticism, and his height and weight make him someone tough to escape from.
Last year, he registered a whopping 15 sacks. For his efforts, he was named a Preseason Junior All-American by MaxPreps.
He has received a lofty comparison to lineman Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, and has a great chance of being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft when he is eligible.
Shemar Stewart Highlights
Of course, one has to remember that he is still a junior in high school, after all. Football recruiting is not a perfect science, and reaching a Chris Jones-like level of success at the professional level is an incredibly tall task.
Despite those qualifiers, Shemar Stewart checks all of the boxes for a player that will wreak havoc in the NCAA in a few seasons. LSU appears to have the leg up at the moment, but being a resident of South Florida may persuade Stewart into signing with the hometown Hurricanes.
Time will tell where the SDE makes his college home, but for now, we should all be excited about his present and future accomplishments.
