Freshman edge Sidney Stewart set to return to Maryland in 2026

Ahmed Ghafir
Jan 1
2 min read

The good news has continued into the New Year after edge Sidney Stewart announced his return to Maryland in 2026 on Jan. 1.

Stewart, a former three-star signee out of Concordia Prep (MD), becomes the latest to finalize his return to Maryland for a second season after the local product became one of three Terps named to On3's True Freshman Midseason All-American list.

The Joppa, MD native arrived in College Park as one of Maryland's most underrated players before proving to be one of the more underrated prospects among Power Four schools through the 2025 season.

“I kind of felt it in my heart before I went on my OV,” he told IBG at the time of his commitment. "That's before I realized how much went into deciding a school but then after my OVs, they were still at the top just because of relationships. They fit all my needs, I think the scheme fits me well and I think I should play at home, put on for your state."

The 6-foot-2, 255-pound edge was also named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year list after posting a team-high seven sacks, which leads all freshmen nationally and ranks fifth in the Big Ten. Stewart recorded at least a partial sack on eight of Maryland's 12 games in 2025, while his 10.5 tackles for loss set a program record by a freshman, surpassing a 46-year-old record.

His return serves as a key win for Maryland this offseason, finalizing his decision after former four-star Zahir Mathis announced his return in 2026 while St. Frances (MD) five-star Zion Elee arrives in College Park in January.

“It’s rare to find, not just in this generation, but just a self-starter like that,” Dan Yarborough, who coached Stewart along the DL at Concordia Prep, told IBG. “We always had our sessions throughout the week, we were down there like four, five times a week and he’d still call me, send me a video, and ask ‘hey coach, how do you think I can bend a little bit here?’ He has clear, concise goals and he works towards them every single day.”

Maryland will now officially enter the 2026 season with arguably its most dominant and versatile pass rush since the Ralph Friedgen era.

Stewart made his decision one day after tight end Dorian Fleming also announced his return, an expected decision as the Virginia native anchors the tight end room into the 2026 season. Fleming finished with 351 yards and three touchdowns on 40 catches in 2025, recording at least three catches in seven of his 12 appearances.

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