Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M becomes the biggest unknown in this year’s draft after setting all-time records at the NFL Combine.

The NFL draft is one of the most anticipated events in American sports, offering teams a chance to select some of the best and brightest young talent to add to their rosters. Among the multitude of prospects this year, one name stands out for a combination of raw athleticism, untapped potential, and, perhaps most surprisingly, a growing sense of mystery: Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M. A defensive lineman with exceptional size, power, and agility, Stewart became the biggest unknown in the 2025 NFL Draft after his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Despite breaking all-time records for his position, questions about his consistency, ability to transition to the professional level, and whether he can live up to the hype have created a unique narrative surrounding his draft stock.

In many ways, Shemar Stewart represents the prototype of what modern NFL teams desire in their defensive linemen: a mix of speed, strength, and technique that is capable of wreaking havoc in both the run and pass game. However, it’s not just his physical tools that have caused scouts, general managers, and fans to take notice. His performance at the NFL Combine has created a sense of intrigue and mystery surrounding his future. Stewart’s combination of on-field production, raw physical talent, and significant question marks about his consistency has made him the biggest “unknown” in the 2025 draft class.

Early Years at Texas A&M: Potential Meets Promise

Before the NFL Combine, Shemar Stewart was already a household name for fans of Texas A&M football. A highly touted recruit from Miami, Florida, Stewart made an immediate impact in College Station, where he quickly became a force along the Aggies’ defensive line. At 6’5” and 305 pounds, Stewart was a rare blend of size and athleticism that immediately captured the attention of college scouts and NFL personnel.

In his first two seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart demonstrated his potential as a dominant defensive presence. He displayed incredible strength, often overpowering offensive linemen, and used his impressive speed to chase down ball carriers. His ability to disrupt passing lanes and get to the quarterback became a calling card, allowing him to rack up sacks and tackles for loss at a steady pace. By his sophomore season, Stewart had already established himself as one of the most physically gifted players in the SEC, a conference known for producing elite NFL talent.

However, while Stewart’s raw potential was undeniable, his college career was somewhat inconsistent. He would occasionally dominate games, overpowering opponents with ease, but there were also stretches where he struggled to make an impact. Some analysts pointed to his motor, questioning whether he could maintain a high level of intensity throughout the entirety of a game. His lack of consistency raised concerns about whether he could transition seamlessly to the NFL, where the level of competition is even more unforgiving.

Despite these concerns, Stewart’s physical tools were enough to keep him on the radar of NFL scouts. With his size, explosiveness, and agility, many saw him as a player with immense upside if he could refine his technique and develop a more consistent work ethic.

The NFL Combine: A Historic Performance

While Shemar Stewart was already a potential first-round pick heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine launched him into another stratosphere. As the premier event for NFL hopefuls, the Combine gives players a chance to showcase their skills in front of scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 teams. Stewart’s time in Indianapolis became the defining moment of his draft preparation, and it raised his profile to historic levels.

One of the key metrics that NFL teams use to evaluate defensive linemen is the 40-yard dash, which measures a player’s straight-line speed over a short distance. For most defensive linemen, a time in the 4.8-5.0 range is considered impressive. Shemar Stewart, however, clocked in at a jaw-dropping 4.58 seconds, an all-time record for defensive tackles. This performance shocked many in attendance, with some even suggesting that it could reshape the way teams evaluate defensive linemen moving forward. For a player his size, the 40-yard dash time was nothing short of extraordinary.

But Stewart didn’t stop there. He went on to put up a 38-inch vertical jump, another elite mark for a player of his size. His broad jump was equally impressive, measuring in at 10 feet, 5 inches—another eye-popping result that demonstrated his explosive power and athleticism. In addition, Stewart completed 35 reps on the bench press, showing off his incredible upper-body strength.

The culmination of these numbers made Stewart one of the most physically gifted defensive prospects the NFL had ever seen. Analysts and scouts immediately began to compare him to the likes of Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt, two of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history, in terms of his physical profile and potential.

However, for all the praise Stewart received for his Combine performance, the fact remained that physical gifts alone would not guarantee success at the next level. Despite setting all-time records, questions began to surface regarding whether Stewart could transition that raw talent into consistent, high-level production in the NFL. While his Combine numbers were historic, there was still a sense of uncertainty surrounding his ability to refine his technique, maintain intensity throughout games, and consistently make an impact at the professional level.

The Growing Narrative of the “Unknown”

The question of consistency has now become the central narrative surrounding Shemar Stewart as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. His Combine performance alone has thrust him into the conversation as one of the most talented players in this draft class, but the real question is whether he can tap into that raw potential and consistently perform at the highest level.

For NFL teams, Stewart’s mystery lies in the fact that his college production didn’t fully match his physical potential. While he had moments of brilliance at Texas A&M, there were stretches where he was relatively quiet on the field. Some analysts have pointed to his lack of polish in terms of pass-rushing technique and overall football IQ as areas that need improvement. Defensive linemen in the NFL are expected to be able to read offenses, recognize blocking schemes, and adjust on the fly, skills that Stewart will need to develop if he is to reach his full potential.

There are also concerns about Stewart’s motor. In the NFL, where the pace of play is much faster and the competition more intense, it’s essential that a player gives consistent effort on every play. While Stewart has the physical tools to dominate, there is a lingering question as to whether he will be able to maintain the same level of intensity throughout an entire season. The NFL is a grind, and players who can’t sustain their effort tend to see their production falter.

The fact that Stewart is such a physical anomaly has created a sense of mystery and intrigue around him. He has set all-time records at the Combine, but there’s still a sense of “unknown” surrounding his game. Scouts are still trying to figure out if Stewart’s immense physical gifts will translate into consistent, high-level NFL production, or if his inconsistency will hold him back.

NFL Teams and the Big Decision

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, NFL teams are grappling with a tough decision regarding Shemar Stewart. On one hand, his athleticism and potential are undeniable. He has the physical tools to be a game-changer at the next level, and many believe that with the right coaching, he could become one of the best defensive linemen in the league. But on the other hand, there are significant concerns regarding his consistency and his ability to refine his technique.

Teams that are willing to take a risk on Stewart will have to bet on his upside, believing that they can harness his physical gifts and mold him into a player who can make an immediate impact. For teams with a strong developmental program and an emphasis on coaching, Stewart could be the perfect project—a player with incredible potential waiting to be unlocked.

However, teams with immediate needs at defensive tackle or those looking for a safer pick may hesitate to take Stewart early in the draft. While his Combine performance made him one of the most exciting prospects in the draft class, the lingering questions about his consistency and motor could push some teams to look elsewhere.