Shemar Stewart excited to play in front of hometown crowd at Miami

A dad’s wisdom and perspective can ease a son’s disappointment.

Such was the case of Brandon Marquez, the father of Texas A&M sophomore defensive end Shemar Stewart.

Stewart was disappointed with himself last Saturday for inadvertently grabbing the face mask of a New Mexico receiver on a reverse.

The penalty erased what would have been a six-yard loss.

“I was so disappointed with myself,” Stewart said. “I saw (the reverse) coming all the way. I aimed for his shoulder pad, but I reached a little too far.

“My dad told me you play with people that’s 5-(foot)-8 and you’re 6-(foot)-6… it ain’t gonna work out every time.”

Marquez is expected to be among a cheering section of 20-plus for Stewart, who will be returning to his hometown on Saturday when the Aggies travel to face Miami.

Stewart is from Miami Gardens, which is near Hard Rock Stadium where the Hurricanes play.

“I’ve been thinking about (playing in Miami) since last year,” Stewart said. “I’m just nervous because I’m always trying to do good against them.”

Stewart, a five-star prospect in 2022, once thought he’d be playing for the Hurricanes. But his parents had other ideas.

“My parents didn’t want me to stay at home at all,” he said. “It’s Miami, you know. The nightlife can get pretty distracting. Trying to keep my head on straight.”

He never anticipated that would mean heading straight to College Station.

“Back in my freshman year when coach ERob (Elijah Robinson) came to see me at my high school, I’m like, ‘I’ll never go here. That’s Texas. They’ve got tumbleweeds.’

“A lot has changed since then. I seen they develop their players.”

Stewart is developing into a stellar defensive end. Last season he was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team for posting 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks and recovering a fumble.

In the 2023 season-opening 52-10 win over New Mexico, Stewart did not notch a tackle (because of the penalty) but knocked down a pass.

He also played a role in helping the Aggies limit New Mexico to 91 rushing yards.

“No team should have 100 yards against us on the ground,” he said. “That should never happen.”

There may be folks back home that still say Stewart should have never left Miami.

“Of course, being a highly-rated player out of Miami everybody expects you to stay and play for the home team,” he said.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Making six starts last season, Shemar Stewart earned 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team honors.

“When I came here, basically the whole city was mad at me. They basically shunned me for awhile. They got over it.”

Stewart also got over getting the cold shoulder. He said he still has several friends on the Hurricanes roster. That is until Saturday.

“I’ve still got a good amount of friends on the team,” he said. “But come Saturday, we ain’t friends any more.”

Making Strides in Run Defense

Coach Jimbo Fisher indicated there are several reasons A&M’s run defense showed improvement in the season opener.

The Aggies’ run defense was among the weakest in the nation last season. They limited New Mexico to 91 rushing yards on 32 attempts.

Apparently, the retina, cornea, iris and lens are high on that list of reasons for improvement.

“See a little, see a lot. See a lot, see nothing,” Fisher said. “Had great eye discipline in the game. Fit our run. Kept our keys. Stayed simple.

“The keys to success when guys play well is so simple. When you’re playing well it’s where your eyes are, your discipline, your keys and your reads. They’re seeing it. They’re feeling it. They’re processing the information. We did a great job of formation recognition.”

Fisher praised true freshman linebacker Tauren York for making the right defensive calls and getting the defense in the right formation.

“I don’t care how much ability you’ve got if your eyes are in the wrong place.”

Celebration On Hold

Cornerback Josh DeBerry has been planning an interception celebration ever since he transferred from Boston College.

Late in the second quarter against New Mexico, he saw a passing coming in his direction.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Along with an interception, Josh DeBerry also led the Aggies with 10 tackles against New Mexico.

DeBerry didn’t miss the interception, but he missed the opportunity for celebration.

“It was a great experience for me,” DeBerry said. “I had a celebration planned. It all kind of went out the window when I got the interception. Fans went crazy. My mind was kind of going crazy.”

DeBerry hopes to get another interception and opportunity against Miami.

“I’m planning on using it during the Miami game, but again, when I’m out there my mind goes a lot of different places,” he said. “Everything I’m planning really kind of goes out the window. It’s kind of what I’m feeling in the moment.

“That’s always how I’ve been my whole career. I’ve had celebrations that I’ve been wanting to use but I never have a chance to because I just forget in the moment.”

A Gift For Mom

Sam Mathews, who last week earned designation as the “12th man,” choked up when he related the story about telling his mother he would be wearing the No. 12 jersey.

“After it happened, obviously, I’m celebrating with all my teammates and everything, but I wanted to get outside and call my mom,” Mathews said. “She’s been a rock for me. She’s sacrificed so much for me. My dad was a Marine, so he was out on tours. Obviously, you know the military life they wake up early and they come home late. My mom did a great job raising four kids.

“It made everything worth it being able to call her and hear her support me during that time.”

NOTES:

• Fisher said linebacker J.D. Davis, who appeared to sustain some kind of injury against New Mexico  ‘should be good.’ Fisher added: “He’s banged up, but he’ll be fine.’’
• Fisher praised the play of the offensive line in the season opener. He was especially complimentary of senior right guard Layden Robinson.
•  Sophomore defensive tackle Walter Nolen was also cited for his performance. “He’s disruptive and productive at the same time,” Fisher said.