Multiple outlets name Maryland freshmen edge rushers Freshmen All-Americans

Ahmed Ghafir
2 days ago
2 min read

With the offseason in full swing and the regular season complete, a pair of freshmen have become mainstays among several Freshman All-America teams announced.

Edge rushers Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart have been named Freshmen All-Americans by multiple outlets with On3 including both on their national team. Stewart was also named a first-team freshman All-American by The Athletic with Mathis earning a second-team selection, though the Philly product earned a second first-team selection after becoming the program’s lone selection on 247Sports’ national team.

“No freshman edge rusher has produced more quarterback pressure (40) so far this season. A three-star recruit from Concordia Prep in Towson, Md., Stewart started 11 games and led the team in tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (7),” The Athletic wrote of Stewart.

Stewart, who arrived in College Park tabbed as an under-the-radar signee by IBG alongside Nahsir Taylor, lived up to expectations in year one after setting a program record for TFLs in a season by a freshman, surpassing a record previously set in 1979.

“He’s made of the right stuff,” Locksley said ahead of his freshman year. “He’s added a maturity level that you don’t typically see, especially from a leadership standpoint, with young players. I think both he and (Washington) have both shown maturity levels as young players that they’ll be able to have a positive impact on our team early.”

Mathis, meanwhile, was also named a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist after posting six sacks and 8.5 TFLs despite battling through injuries the final month of the season and missed nearly two full games. His six sacks ranks sixth nationally among freshmen while his 31 pressures ranked second-most among freshmen, per PFF.

“What kind of player can he be? I mean, there's no doubt he's one of those guys that has the ability to come in as a pass-rusher and have an immediate impact,” Locksley said of Mathis during the season. “He's a lot more mature than what his age shows. And again, anybody that spent any time with this kid knows, he's made up of the right stuff. And he's definitely the type of player that I've had great success with.”

With five-star Zion Elee joining the mix once he enrolls in January, all eyes turn to Maryland building on the impact edge rushers with a realistic chance both Stewart and Mathis return in 2026, potentially giving the program arguably its most dynamic pass rush over the last 15 years. As Maryland put a bow on its 2026 class, head coach Mike Locksley was transparent about the next phase of the offseason.

"Our intention is now go to the portal as well as retaining our current roster,” he said on NSD.

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