Shemar Stewart Laughs Off ‘Stupid’ Texas A&M Return Rumors, Confirms Full Commitment to Miami Hurricanes Ahead of 2025 Season

The swirling rumors that Shemar Stewart might make a sensational return to Texas A&M didn’t just puzzle college football fans—they amused the man himself. In his most direct public response yet, the former five-star edge rusher laughed off the speculation, calling it “stupid” and reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the Miami Hurricanes as the 2025 season draws near.

“I don’t know who started that,” Stewart said with a chuckle following a recent Hurricanes workout. “But I’m here in Miami, and I’m here to stay. I transferred for a reason, and I’m fully locked in with this program. It’s stupid talk, honestly.”

For Stewart, who made waves in the transfer portal this offseason after two seasons in College Station, the decision to move back to his home state of Florida was deeply personal and driven by both football and family. And now, with fall camp around the corner and expectations mounting for Miami’s defense, he’s fully focused on becoming the impact player Hurricanes fans hoped for when he announced his transfer in January.

The Rumors That Wouldn’t Die

Despite a public commitment and full integration into Miami’s offseason program, rumors of Stewart returning to Texas A&M persisted throughout the spring and early summer. Some fans pointed to his close ties with Aggies defensive line coach Elijah Robinson, while others cited social media breadcrumbs—likes, retweets, and Instagram comments—as supposed evidence of second thoughts.

The speculation intensified in late May when Stewart was briefly absent from Hurricanes workouts due to what head coach Mario Cristobal later clarified as “a scheduled family matter.” That small window was enough to spark headlines and fan forum debates about whether Stewart could pull a last-minute portal reversal.

“I saw the tweets, the messages… It was crazy,” Stewart said. “People just ran with anything. That’s the internet for you.”

Why He Left Texas A&M

Stewart’s exit from Texas A&M came as part of a larger exodus of talent following the firing of head coach Jimbo Fisher and the hiring of Mike Elko. While Stewart spoke respectfully of his time with the Aggies, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging that a fresh start was needed.

“Texas A&M gave me my first shot and I’m grateful,” he said. “But once Coach Fisher was out and the staff started changing, it didn’t feel like home anymore. I had to make a decision that was best for me and my future.”

In 2023, Stewart posted 32 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 8 tackles for loss—a productive season but not quite the breakout campaign many expected from a former No. 1-ranked defensive lineman in the 2022 recruiting class.

“I knew I had more to give,” Stewart said. “But I also knew I needed to be in a system that lets me be me.”

Cristobal’s Pitch: Come Home

When Shemar Stewart hit the portal, it didn’t take long for Mario Cristobal and the Miami staff to make contact. The Hurricanes had recruited Stewart heavily out of high school, and the idea of staying in Florida while joining a resurgent Miami program held significant appeal.

“Coach Cristobal was straight with me,” Stewart said. “He said, ‘We don’t want to fix you. We want to unleash you.’ That meant a lot.”

Cristobal echoed those sentiments in the spring.

“Shemar brings size, power, and experience,” Cristobal said. “But most importantly, he brings leadership. He’s hungry, and he wants to be great. That’s exactly what we’re building here.”

At 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, Stewart gives Miami a physically dominant edge presence who can line up across the defensive front. The Hurricanes plan to use him in multiple alignments—both in a traditional defensive end role and as a disruptive interior rusher on passing downs.

“He’s a mismatch,” said defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. “We can move him around. That’s what makes him so valuable.”

Offseason Growth and Miami Fit

Since arriving in Coral Gables, Stewart has attacked the offseason with urgency. He’s been one of the standouts in Miami’s strength and conditioning program, cutting body fat and adding lean muscle under the guidance of strength coach Aaron Feld.

“I feel quicker,” Stewart said. “I’ve always had the strength, but now I’m playing faster. That’s the biggest difference.”

Teammates have taken notice as well.

“He came in with a chip on his shoulder,” said Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa. “You can tell he’s trying to prove something, and that’s contagious.”

Beyond the field, Stewart says the atmosphere at Miami has reenergized him.

“There’s a brotherhood here,” he said. “The coaches treat you like family, and the players hold each other accountable. It’s everything I was looking for.”

He’s also taken on a more vocal leadership role than he did at Texas A&M.

“I used to be more of a ‘lead by example’ guy,” he said. “But now I’m speaking up. I’ve got something to say, and I want to help the young guys.”

Expectations for 2025

With the 2025 college football season just weeks away, Miami finds itself in a rare position: not just hopeful, but legitimately competitive in the ACC. With quarterback Jacurri Brown expected to lead a more dynamic offense, and a defense loaded with transfers and returning starters, the Hurricanes believe they have the pieces to contend for a conference title.

Stewart will be central to that plan.

“He’s got All-ACC potential,” said ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill. “If he stays healthy and consistent, there’s no reason he can’t be a first-round pick next spring.”

That kind of talk doesn’t faze Stewart.

“I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “But right now, it’s one day at a time. I’m just trying to be the best version of me every day.”

Still, the spotlight will be bright. Miami opens the season against Florida in what promises to be a high-stakes, nationally televised matchup. Stewart, a Florida native who once considered the Gators, says he’s already circling that date.

“I can’t wait for that one,” he said. “That’s personal.”

Putting the Rumors to Rest

So, what does Stewart say to those still clinging to the idea of a Texas A&M return?

“Man, it’s over,” he laughed. “I’m a Miami Hurricane. I’m home. Let’s ride.”

If that statement—and the intensity behind it—doesn’t settle the matter, Stewart’s play this fall surely will. And if he delivers on the promise that made him a household name in high school and a prized recruit in two transfer cycles, Hurricanes fans will be thanking their luck that the rumors weren’t true.

As for the Aggies? They’ll be watching from afar, wondering what could’ve been.