Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M is selected by Cincinnati in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart Goes to Cincinnati in First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
In a draft night filled with anticipation, Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart realized a lifelong dream when he was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With the 17th overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals added the explosive edge rusher to a defense in need of a difference-maker up front. For Stewart, the moment marks the culmination of years of dedication, and for the Bengals, it represents a bold move to bolster their defensive identity with a rare combination of size, speed, and power off the edge.
Stewart’s path from Miami’s Monsignor Pace High School to College Station and now to the NFL is one of relentless pursuit of greatness. With his selection, he becomes the latest in a long line of Aggie defenders to make the leap to the next level—and perhaps the most physically imposing since Myles Garrett.
By selecting Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati made a clear statement: it wants to get faster, more physical, and more disruptive on defense. Stewart brings all three traits in abundance. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare for offensive linemen. His wingspan is enormous, his get-off is explosive, and his ability to convert speed to power makes him a threat on every down.
The Bengals had needs on the defensive line heading into the draft. Despite the presence of solid contributors like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, the Bengals have lacked a consistent pass rush against elite competition, especially in late-season and playoff scenarios. Stewart’s arrival could change that equation quickly.
He isn’t just a pass rusher, either—he’s stout against the run, disciplined on the edge, and has the motor to chase plays down from the backside. Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo now has a new chess piece to move across the line of scrimmage, and if used properly, Stewart could emerge as a dominant force by the end of his rookie season.
Stewart was a household name before he even suited up for Texas A&M. A five-star recruit ranked among the top defensive players in the 2022 high school class, Stewart had offers from Alabama, Georgia, Miami, and others. Ultimately, he chose the Aggies, in part due to the promise of early playing time and Texas A&M’s rising profile as a destination for defensive linemen.
His freshman year showed flashes of his potential, but it was in his sophomore and junior seasons that Stewart truly exploded onto the national scene. In 2024, he posted 11.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, dominating SEC offensive lines with a blend of quickness, technique, and brute strength. His ability to affect the game in multiple ways—pressuring quarterbacks, collapsing pockets, batting down passes, and setting a firm edge—made him a nightmare for opposing coordinators.
Stewart’s physical traits were already well-known, but he confirmed his elite status at the 2025 NFL Combine. He ran an astonishing 4.59-second 40-yard dash, vertical-jumped 37 inches, and broad-jumped 10 feet 5 inches—all at over 270 pounds. Those numbers put him in rare territory, comparable to past athletic freaks like Danielle Hunter and Rashan Gary.
Scouts raved about his fluidity in drills, his ability to change direction without losing speed, and his explosiveness in short-area bursts. Perhaps most impressively, he showcased advanced hand technique and a variety of pass-rush moves in positional work—rip, swim, bull, long-arm—all polished and purposeful.
Interviews with teams also went well, with Stewart earning high marks for maturity, football IQ, and coachability. Teams came away impressed by his commitment to film study, his understanding of offensive schemes, and his team-first mindset.
Cincinnati’s defensive scheme is built around versatility and discipline. Stewart fits the mold perfectly. He can play with his hand in the dirt in a 4-3 look, or stand up in a 3-4 hybrid front. The Bengals have long sought to pair Hendrickson with a dynamic athlete on the opposite side, and Stewart may be the long-term answer.
He also brings a rare ability to move inside on passing downs, allowing the Bengals to get creative with their rush packages. With Stewart lined up next to a veteran like DJ Reader or pushing the pocket alongside Joseph Ossai, Cincinnati suddenly has options to generate pressure from multiple angles.
Another important aspect is Stewart’s durability—he never missed a start in his final two seasons at Texas A&M. That type of reliability, combined with his upside, makes him a low-risk, high-reward investment at the 17th spot.
When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called his name, Stewart embraced his mother, his coaches, and longtime mentors in an emotional scene on draft night. Dressed in a sharp midnight-blue suit lined with the Texas A&M logo, he walked across the stage with the confidence of someone who had been preparing for this moment his entire life.
In his post-draft interview, Stewart spoke with a mixture of gratitude and determination.
“This is everything I’ve worked for since I was a kid playing ball in Miami. To be part of a franchise like the Bengals—it’s a blessing. But I’m not coming just to be on the team. I’m coming to dominate.”
The Bengals’ brass echoed that sentiment. Head coach Zac Taylor praised Stewart’s leadership and athleticism, while defensive coordinator Anarumo called him “one of the most NFL-ready defensive ends in this year’s class.”
With Joe Burrow leading the offense and weapons like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins stretching the field, the Bengals already have a high-powered offensive unit. But their Achilles heel in recent seasons has been inconsistent defensive play, particularly in high-leverage situations.
Adding Stewart helps balance the roster. Cincinnati can now generate more organic pressure without blitzing, which allows them to keep extra defenders in coverage—a crucial adjustment in today’s pass-heavy NFL. Stewart’s ability to force hurried throws could directly lead to more interceptions, tipped balls, and sacks.
If Stewart adjusts quickly to the speed of the pro game, the Bengals could find themselves back in AFC Championship contention, particularly if their revamped defense comes together as expected.
Shemar Stewart becomes the latest in a long line of elite defensive linemen to emerge from Texas A&M. Following in the footsteps of Myles Garrett, DeMarvin Leal, and others, Stewart’s rise to the NFL reinforces the Aggies’ reputation as a factory for defensive front talent.
His first-round selection also serves as a recruiting tool for the Aggies. Prospects looking to develop into NFL stars will see Stewart’s journey—from five-star high school phenom to top SEC performer to first-round pick—as the gold standard. His growth under Texas A&M’s coaching staff, combined with his individual drive, creates a powerful narrative for the program’s future.
NFL Scouting Report: Shemar Stewart
Position: Defensive End
College: Texas A&M
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 275 lbs
Draft Pick: No. 17 overall – Cincinnati Bengals
Strengths:
- Elite first-step quickness
- Power-to-speed conversion
- Plays with controlled aggression
- Can play multiple positions along the D-line
- High football IQ
- Durable and dependable
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to develop counter-moves for veteran tackles
- Occasionally overcommits on misdirection plays
- Will need to adjust to NFL-level offensive linemen’s hand-fighting
NFL Comparison: Montez Sweat meets Rashan Gary
The Cincinnati Bengals may have found their defensive cornerstone of the future in Shemar Stewart. With elite physical tools, proven production in college football’s toughest conference, and a relentless work ethic, Stewart has all the ingredients to thrive in the NFL.
He now enters a locker room with veteran leaders, a strong coaching staff, and a franchise hungry for postseason success. The path ahead will have its challenges, but Stewart has already proven he’s up for whatever the game throws at him.
From Miami to College Station to Cincinnati, Shemar Stewart’s journey is far from over—it’s just entering its most exciting chapter yet.
