Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart has risen to the Top 10 in the latest mock draft, showcasing his immense talent.
Shemar Stewart, a name that has been synonymous with immense potential ever since he stepped foot onto Texas A&M’s campus, is now making waves in the 2025 NFL Draft projections. The defensive lineman’s rise into the Top 10 of the latest mock drafts speaks to his impressive growth as a player and the tantalizing promise he holds as a future NFL star. With his combination of size, strength, athleticism, and work ethic, Stewart has quickly become one of the most talked-about prospects in college football.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Shemar Stewart’s rise to the top of the draft boards, examining his background, his playing style, the factors contributing to his rise, and the impact his development has had on Texas A&M’s defense. By understanding Stewart’s journey, we’ll see why he’s now considered one of the top players available in the 2025 draft and what this means for his future in the NFL.
1. The Making of Shemar Stewart: From High School Phenomenon to College Standout
Shemar Stewart’s journey to becoming one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft begins long before he arrived at Texas A&M. Hailing from Opa-locka, Florida, Stewart was a highly sought-after recruit, and it’s easy to see why. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 315 pounds, Stewart possessed the ideal physical frame for a defensive lineman. His combination of size, power, and athleticism made him a dominant force in high school football, and he quickly garnered attention from some of the best college programs in the nation.
Stewart’s senior year at Monsignor Pace High School was nothing short of spectacular. He was widely regarded as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country, earning five-star status from major recruiting services. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, pressure quarterbacks, and shut down the running game made him a standout even at the high school level. His performance during his high school career earned him invitations to prestigious all-star games, including the Under Armour All-America Game, where he further showcased his skills against the nation’s best talent.
Given his high school dominance, Stewart’s recruitment process was intense, with programs from across the country vying for his commitment. Ultimately, he chose Texas A&M, citing the opportunity to play in the SEC and develop under a coaching staff that would allow him to reach his full potential. His decision to commit to the Aggies was seen as a major victory for head coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson, who knew they were getting a generational talent.
2. The Transition to College Football: Finding His Footing at Texas A&M
Shemar Stewart’s freshman year at Texas A&M was filled with the usual challenges that come with adjusting to college football. Stepping onto a field filled with grown men, many of whom had years of college experience, was a wake-up call for many top recruits. However, Stewart’s transition to college football was smoother than most. He showed flashes of his immense talent early in his first season, demonstrating the ability to disrupt offensive lines and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Though he was still learning the nuances of the game, his physical tools were undeniable.
During his first season, Stewart played in all 12 games, starting in a few, and made an immediate impact. His combination of size, strength, and speed was evident from the start, but it was his relentless work ethic and passion for improving that allowed him to quickly carve out a role in the rotation. He finished his freshman season with several tackles for loss, sacks, and QB pressures, earning praise from both his coaches and teammates for his high ceiling.
The coaching staff was impressed not only by Stewart’s natural athleticism but also by his intelligence and football IQ. His understanding of offensive linemen’s tendencies and his ability to read plays set him apart from many other freshmen. These qualities, paired with his physical gifts, made Stewart one of the most promising young defensive linemen in the country. By the end of his first season, he was already being considered a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, provided he continued to develop.
3. The Rise in 2024: Making the Jump to Elite Prospect
While Stewart showed promise in his first season, it was during the 2024 campaign that he truly cemented his status as one of the top defensive prospects in the country. The offseason prior to his sophomore year saw Stewart put in the work necessary to refine his technique and improve his consistency. He focused on becoming more explosive off the line of scrimmage, developing a wider array of pass-rushing moves, and becoming more disciplined in his assignments. The results were immediate, and Stewart quickly established himself as one of the best defensive players in the SEC.
In 2024, Stewart became a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. His ability to win one-on-one battles, collapse the pocket, and create pressure on quarterbacks became a hallmark of his game. Stewart’s refined pass-rushing technique allowed him to record a career-high number of sacks and tackles for loss, while his presence in the run game disrupted opposing offenses at every turn. He proved to be equally adept at stopping the run, using his size and strength to dominate at the point of attack and force ball carriers to bounce outside where his teammates could finish the play.
What made Stewart’s rise even more impressive was his ability to make plays in big moments. Whether it was pressuring a quarterback in the fourth quarter of a tight game or stopping a running back for a loss on a crucial third down, Stewart was consistently making game-changing plays. His impact was felt in every game he played, earning him All-SEC honors and national recognition as one of the top defensive linemen in college football.
As his 2024 season progressed, Stewart’s name began to appear more and more frequently in NFL mock drafts. By the end of the season, he was being touted as a top-10 pick, and many analysts projected him to be one of the first defensive players selected in the 2025 draft. This was a significant jump for a player who had entered college as a five-star recruit with high expectations but still had much to prove. Stewart’s rise to the top of the draft boards was a direct result of his hard work, natural talent, and the improvements he made in his game.
4. Playing Style: A Combination of Power, Athleticism, and Technique
Shemar Stewart’s rise to the top 10 of the NFL draft is largely due to his exceptional physical attributes combined with his technical ability. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing in at 315 pounds, Stewart has the ideal frame for a defensive lineman. His combination of size and strength allows him to overpower blockers, while his surprising quickness and agility for his size make him a disruptive force both in the pass rush and against the run.
One of Stewart’s most significant strengths is his ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt quarterbacks. His explosiveness off the line of scrimmage allows him to beat offensive tackles with power and speed, and his wide array of pass-rushing moves—whether it’s a swim move, bull rush, or spin move—make him difficult to block. His ability to change direction quickly, despite his size, allows him to create pressure from different angles, keeping offensive linemen on their toes.
In addition to his pass-rushing ability, Stewart is a strong run defender. His ability to anchor against double teams and set the edge in the run game is one of the reasons he’s considered one of the most complete defensive linemen in the 2025 draft class. He uses his strength to control blockers at the line of scrimmage, allowing him to clog running lanes and force ball carriers to alter their course. His awareness and football IQ make him a force against both the run and the pass.
Stewart’s versatility is another reason why he has climbed so quickly up the draft boards. While he primarily plays on the defensive line, he has the ability to line up at different spots, including defensive tackle and defensive end, depending on the scheme. This positional flexibility makes him an attractive prospect for NFL teams, who value players who can contribute in multiple roles along the defensive front.
5. Why Shemar Stewart Is Now a Top 10 Pick
There are several key factors contributing to Shemar Stewart’s rise to the Top 10 of NFL mock drafts. First and foremost is his sheer talent. The combination of size, strength, athleticism, and technique is rare, and Stewart possesses all of those traits in abundance. He has the physical tools to dominate at the next level, and his improvement over the past year has shown that he can take his game to new heights.
Secondly, Stewart’s consistency and impact on the field are undeniable. In a position where consistency is key, Stewart has shown that he can be a game-changer week in and week out. His ability to make plays in critical situations—whether pressuring the quarterback, stopping the run, or making key tackles—has made him one of the most disruptive defensive players in college football.
Finally, the rise of Shemar Stewart is indicative of the evolving nature of NFL defenses. Teams are increasingly looking for versatile, athletic defensive linemen who can affect the game in multiple ways. Stewart’s ability to contribute as both a pass rusher and a run stopper makes him a highly coveted asset for any team looking to bolster their defensive line. His potential to contribute immediately at the NFL level makes him an easy pick for teams with high draft selections.
6. Looking Ahead: Shemar Stewart’s Future in the NFL
As Shemar Stewart prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft, his future in professional football looks incredibly bright. He’s a player who combines physicality with technique, and his development under the coaching staff at Texas A&M has set him up for success at the next level. Whether he is drafted by a team in need of an immediate impact player on defense or a team looking to add to their long-term plans, Stewart’s skill set is one that will translate well to the NFL.
For now, Stewart will continue to focus on his final season at Texas A&M, looking to leave a lasting legacy while refining his skills even further. As his draft stock continues to rise, there’s no question that Shemar Stewart is one of the most exciting prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his journey to the top has only just begun.
