OLB Sidney Stewart “falling in love” with Maryland ahead of OVs

Concordia Prep (MD) outside linebacker Sidney Stewart has finalized his official visit schedule and if all goes to plan, he’ll have a decision settled within the next month.

Stewart, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound pass rusher, will kick off his official visits with a trip to West Virginia beginning May 31 before heading to Virginia Tech (June 7), Boston College (June 14), Indiana (June 17-18) then wrapping up the month with a trip to Maryland (June 21). Michigan State became the latest school to offer on Tuesday, but whether the Spartans are able to draw a June visit remains to be seen.

“They’re kind of late to the party. I’m not at all closed, I’m open to whoever is interested in me but if I can get a visit scheduled I’ll make it out there,” Stewart told IBG.

In addition to lining up as a tight end for the Saints as a junior, Stewart’s college interest has been centered around the defensive side of the ball with the frame to line up as an outside linebacker. His upcoming official visits to Boston College, Virginia Tech and Maryland will all mark return visits after Stewart made offseason trips to each school. Running backs coach Elijah Brooks has led the way for the Hokies while Stewart made the trip to Chestnut Hill to check out the Eagles’ spring game.

After Maryland showed lukewarm interest through Stewart’s junior season, the two sides have picked up contact through the spring with offensive line coach Brian Braswell leading the way. “I mainly talk to coach [James Thomas] and coach [Brian] Braswell. I’ve known coach Braswell since sophomore year and he’s always been a funny, cool guy. Obviously you want good energy around you, even though he’s not my position coach, that’s something that I look for so I’ve always appreciated that. Coach JT, he’s my position coach and I’ve gotten to know him more so I’m glad I was able to gel with him too.”

After making the trip to College Park during the spring to get acclimated to his fit as an outside ‘backer in the Terps’ defensive scheme, Stewart walked away acknowledging a potential seamless transition. “I definitely felt like fortunately, especially being around the guys like coach Dan [Yarborough] and my coaches, I definitely felt like it wouldn’t be too hard of a transition. Specific scheme-wise I would have to learn but think I would like this place while I was there. They’re definitely high on my list. I’m falling in love, I’m not going to lie.”

Stewart explains what he’s looking for on his upcoming visits.

“I use the word vibe, so a lot of times you can just get a vibe when you’re visiting a school. Questions can only get you so far. Questions have preprogramed answers from some coaches so a lot of times I base it off vibes and where I feel home at.”

Stewart is also intent on following through on all five of his scheduled visits.

“I like to see things through. It’s like taking a test. You might think you have an answer but when you look through the multiple choice there ends up being a better one so I don’t want to be too quick and jump the gun.”

With his official visit to Maryland set for the second-to-last weekend in June, it won’t be much longer until Stewart finalizes his decision.

“I probably will have committed by late-June. Especially with the new landscape in college football, I want to have a place settled in.”

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