South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer announced on Sunday that Dylan Stewart, a top NFL Draft prospect, has been suspended indefinitely following an altercation during Saturday’s 49-14 loss to Alabama.
Beamer confirmed Stewart would not play in the Gamecocks’ upcoming game against Kentucky. The suspension follows Stewart’s ejection for punching Alabama tight end Josh Ford and subsequent arguments with coaches on the sideline.
Core Facts of the Suspension
Stewart’s suspension was announced during a press conference on Sunday. Beamer stated that Stewart’s future with the program would be decided in the coming days, pending further meetings. The head coach emphasized that Stewart’s actions violated team standards.
"I’ll make the decision on what his future looks like beyond this week here in the next day or so," Beamer said, per 247 Sports. "Still having some meetings and talking with him, but he won’t play this week versus Kentucky. There’s a standard of how we do things in our program and that was not it last night."
Beamer added that accountability is a core value for the program, and Stewart’s conduct did not meet expectations.
Background on Stewart’s Career and Incident
Stewart, a projected top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, has been a standout player for South Carolina. In 2024, his freshman season, he recorded 6.5 sacks and 23 total tackles. Last season, he added 4.5 sacks and 33 tackles, earning second-team All-SEC honors and an honorable mention All-American selection by college football expert Phil Steele.
During Saturday’s game, Stewart was ejected after throwing a punch at Ford. Beamer acknowledged seeing the penalty but stated he did not witness the full incident until reviewing footage. He described the altercation as "unacceptable" and expressed embarrassment over the conduct.
"I saw the play that he got the penalty on. I didn’t see it until just now, and that’s unacceptable," Beamer said. "That’s not how we do things around here. I’m embarrassed to see that because that’s not what we’re about."
Stewart finished the game with no tackles, contributing just one tackle on the season prior to the contest.
Team and Season Context
South Carolina’s loss to Alabama dropped the team to a 2-2 record for the season. The Gamecocks are scheduled to face Kentucky on Saturday, followed by a road game against Florida and a home matchup against Tennessee.
Beamer has faced scrutiny over the team’s performance, finishing with a 4-8 record last season. The program’s struggles have intensified focus on discipline and accountability under his leadership.
The suspension leaves Stewart’s future with the team unresolved as the Gamecocks navigate a challenging schedule. Beamer indicated that Stewart’s return would depend on his adherence to team standards and further discussions.