Monsignor Pace five-star defensive line recruit Shemar Stewart opts for Texas A&M over Miami
The Miami Hurricanes and recently-hired coach Mario Cristobal made a strong push in recent weeks for Monsignor Pace five-star defensive lineman Shemar Stewart.
It wasn’t enough to keep him home.
Although Stewart had his classmates in attendance at Wednesday’s national signing day ceremony at his high school fooled for about half a minute.
Stewart donned a Canes cap which drew a loud yell from several students watching just a few feet away. But Stewart smiled and waved his hand to politely silence the cheers. He then looked at the UM hat and said, “This will always be home and I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity, but…”
Stewart then put the hat down and picked up the Texas A&M cap he had placed right next to it alongside a Georgia cap, and put it on, which drew even louder cheers.
With Stewart’s addition, Texas A&M has the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the country.
“That was a big factor,” Stewart said. “To play with top-talent guys was something special and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Stewart later took to Twitter in response to rumors that had circulated that Texas A&M’s class had built its formidable class by using NIL (name, image and likeness) funds - an allegation that Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher refuted on Wednesday in an interview with 247Sports.
Stewart tweeted: “If my decision was just based off money I would’ve just stayed in my home town. I’m doing what i think is my best interest. ITS EITHER YOUR WITH ME OR AGAINST ME!”
The Aggies were believed to be the favorite for Stewart for some time despite the Hurricanes’ efforts to nab another major South Florida talent. Stewart tweeted that on Jan. 28th that Texas A&M, the Canes and Georgia were his finalists.
Stewart was the first South Florida recruit that Cristobal reached out to after he was hired by the Hurricanes back in December.
Stewart, who had 85 tackles, 14 sacks and 40 tackles for loss this past season for the Spartans, acknowledged he was tempted by Miami’s offer, but said it was ultimately too late.
He said the bond he had formed with Texas A&M’s coaches was too strong.
Although later, Stewart did tell reporters that he had only made up his mind on Wednesday morning that he was going to Texas A&M.
“It was this close,” Stewart said while making a gesture with his index finger and thumb held close together. “I feel like if I had another year I might be heading over there but as it is right now, A&M is the best choice for me.”
Even the recent hiring of former Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele - a veteran coach with extensive experience in both the SEC and ACC - to the same position at Miami, wasn’t enough to sway Stewart.
“It did make me think about it, but it was too late,” Stewart said.
Stewart said he broke the news to Cristobal and UM coaches once he made his choice. How did that call go?
“Not good...not good,” said Stewart, who will be wearing an Aggies’ uniform when Texas A&M takes on UM on Sept. 17th in the Hurricanes’ third game of the upcoming season.
Stewart is ranked the No. 10 overall prospect in the nation by 247Sports, No. 3 at his position and the top overall prospect in Florida.
In addition to Stewart, Pace had three more players sign on Wednesday.
Gabriel Herrera signed with St. Thomas University, Zachary Alvarez signed with Alabama A&M and Ty’Orice Bown signed with Virginia University-Lynchburg.
Monsignor Pace also had linebacker Mekhi Mason sign with Syracuse in December.
MORE SIGNEES
Booker T. Washington: Semaj Flagg (FIU); Columbus: Ken Moore (Western Carolina), Fernando Mendoza (California); Killian: Naeer Jackson (FIU), Steven Shannon (FIU); Miami Central: Alfonzo Allen (Baylor), Zaylan Reese (Valdosta State), Qualyn McQueen (St. Thomas University), Jason Bissainthe (ASA College), Christopher Nicholson (ASA College), Malcolm Davis (ASA College), Fenzy Dacius (ASA College) Ghana Ogobo (Mississippi Valley State), Jayden John (Alabama State), Keyondre Young (Tuskegee); Monsignor Pace: Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Ty’Orice Brown (Virginia University-Lynchburg), Zachary Alvarez (Alabama A&M), Gabriel Herrera (St. Thomas); Palmetto: Mike Jackson (FIU), Bobby Golden (Akron), Jamarrion Solomon (FIU - preferred walk-on), Jaiden Louis (Florida Memorial), Kevin Smith (Monroe JC), Jacob Jeudy (Monroe JC), Tay Pender (Nebraska-Kearney).
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 2:11 PM.
