In the case of the collegiate stage, there is probably not a more durable place to develop than an offensive lineman or defensive lineman. Each require a robust body and seasoning with approach earlier than hitting the sphere.
That’s why it was extraordinarily spectacular to see five-star true freshmen Colin Simmons and Dylan Stewart shine in Week 2 for the Texas Longhorns and South Carolina Gamecocks, respectively.
Simmons was a monster, recording a whopping six quarterback pressures, two stops and a sack in Week 2, main the way in which for the Longhorns in simply 16 move dashing snaps.
Recording a 37.5 % win-rate in Week 2 in keeping with PFF, Simmons was dominant even towards a step up in competitors, as Texas performed the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines, defeating them 31-12.
Simmons was quiet in Week 1, recording one strain whereas seeing simply 5 move dashing snaps, however broke out in his second ever collegiate sport, cementing himself as one in all Texas’s prime pass-rushers as a real freshman.
Towards Michigan, Simmons was virtually completely in a pass-rushing function, taking part in 21 complete snaps, of which 16 had been dashing the passer. However, it didn’t take lengthy for the five-star to make a fast influence for the Longhorns, and he must be relied upon to generate strain, which is an space Texas will look to enhance on as a workforce.
Stewart, however, is only a pure freak, persevering with his dominance in Week 2. After recording six pressures, 4 stops, three sacks and two compelled fumbles in South Carolina’s 23-19 win over Outdated Dominion, the true freshman led the way in which as soon as once more in Week 2 with three pressures and two stops.
Stewart is already attracting double-teams off the sting and doing uncanny issues for any school defender, let alongside a real freshman.
By two video games, Stewart has displayed very good athleticism and bend, whereas even exhibiting good approach with a variety of pass-rushing strikes at his disposal. Even with the loaded quantity of expertise within the 2024 recruiting class, Stewart might very nicely be the most effective true freshman on the market at present, no matter place.
South Carolina, taking part in within the SEC, has one of many hardest schedules within the nation and that continues this week with a matchup towards the LSU Tigers.
Stewart has clearly caught the attention of head coach Brian Kelly, who raved in regards to the true freshman in his weekly presser on Monday.
“The defensive finish, Stewart, is a pure move rusher,” Kelly stated. “It doesn’t imply he can’t defend the run, I’m not saying that. He’s a man that they need in there to get after the quarterback. We’re gonna must do a extremely good job, we’re gonna must be disciplined in our drops. We’re gonna must get the ball out on time, as a result of these edge guys can definitely [rush]. That is an SEC defensive entrance. They will get to the quarterback and notably he can.”
Stewart remains to be getting used sporadically by South Carolina as they ease him into the fold, taking part in 24 snaps in Week 2 after seeing 37 snaps in Week 1. However, it’s taken simply two weeks for the true freshman to crack the nation’s radar, and he must be a power to be reckoned with this season.
