Cincinnati Bengals Pick Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M in 2025 NFL Draft | Instant Reaction

Shemar Stewart, born November 12, 2003, in Miami, Florida, is a standout American football defensive end whose journey from a high school phenom to a 2025 NFL Draft prospect showcases his exceptional talent and resilience. Raised in Miramar, Florida, by his mother, Latoya Smith, Stewart began playing football at age 12 at Ives Estates Park, initially as an offensive and defensive lineman. His hyper-athletic genes were evident early, standing 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds as a freshman at Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens.

 

By his sophomore year, he had grown to 6’6”, 275 pounds, dominating Florida’s 4A competition with 48 tackles and 15 sacks, earning him a five-star recruit status and the No. 1 edge rusher ranking in the 2022 class by ESPN, 247Sports, and USA Today.

 

Stewart’s high school career was not without challenges; injuries and COVID-19 complications limited his junior year, but he rebounded as a senior, solidifying his reputation as a top prospect. Committing to Texas A&M University in February 2022, he cited the coaching staff’s familial approach and their honesty as key factors, alongside his parents’ desire for him to avoid Miami’s distracting nightlife.

 

At Texas A&M, Stewart made an immediate impact, appearing in all 12 games as a true freshman with six starts, earning SEC All-Freshman honors. His sophomore year featured a pick-six against Mississippi State, and by his junior year in 2024, he started all 12 games, leading the Aggies with seven quarterback hurries and 5.5 tackles for loss, securing All-SEC Third Team recognition. At 6’5”, 267 pounds, Stewart’s freakish athleticism shone at the 2025 NFL Combine, where he recorded a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical, and a 10’11” broad jump, earning comparisons to Myles Garrett. His explosive get-off, rare bend, and power make him ideal for a 4-3 defensive system, though his 4.5 career sacks suggest room for growth in pass-rushing technique. Declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft in December 2024, Stewart’s 9.99 Relative Athletic Score ranks third all-time among defensive ends, positioning him as a future NFL star