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Gamecock EDGE ranked Top 10 by PFF ahead of 2025 college football season

South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart lands at NO. 9 on Pro Football Focus' Top 50 Players list ahead of the 2025 college football season. He is the only Gamecock on the list, solidifying the hype around him being one of the top pass rushers in the country.
ByLauren Beasley|
Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Dylan Stewart (6) runs the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Miles Scott (10) in the third quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Dylan Stewart (6) runs the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Miles Scott (10) in the third quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images | Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

With the 2025-26 college football season fast approaching, Pro Football Focus (PFF) dropped its annual list of the Top 50 players, and South Carolina's Dylan Stewart made broke the top 10. The sophomore EDGE rushers came in at No. 9 overall, making him the only Gamecock to make the cut. While both LaNorris Sellers and Jalon Kilgore are both on the preseason watch list, it is Stewart who continues to make a statement heading into the season. Two analysts from PFF, Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman had high praise for the explosive pass rusher, comparing him to one of South Carolina's favorites, Jadeveon Clowney.

Stewart's top-10 ranking reflects what most of Gamecock Nation already knows, he may be the best defensive player in the country. Stewart was one spot behind Texas' Colin Simmons (No. 8) and remains one of the most hyped players in future NFL Draft classes.

“Stewart earned a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade as just a true freshman, tied for sixth among all edge defenders. His 51 quarterback pressures ranked second among returning Power Four players. He still has room to grow in run defense, but he’s already the most fearsome pass rusher in college football.”

And the buzz doesn't stop there. Stewart is also featured on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26, appearing on the Deluxe Edition of the game. Stewart is only the second athlete from South Carolina to ever be featured on a national video game cover, joining the legendary women's basketball star A'ja Wilson on NBA 2K25.

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