Week Six's Overnight Sensation: Evan Stewart, Wide Receiver

Each Monday during the 2022 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s ‘Overnight Sensation.’

E Uno.

Taking the field in Tuscaloosa, the stage was not too big for Evan Stewart.

In Texas A&M’s gut-wrenching 24-20 loss to No.1 Alabama, true freshman Evan Stewart undoubtedly delivered for the Aggies. In the highly-anticipated SEC battle, Stewart’s performance topped A&M’s receiving stat sheet and displayed his undeniable talent and reliability.

Stewart was Haynes King’s top target of the night, and the playmaker showed up in crunch time. Totaling eight receptions for 106 yards, the five-star made some incredible catches to take it down to the wire with the top-ranked Tide.

Down by seven in the second quarter, Stewart snagged a 43-yard pass to the down Aggies on the six-yard line. King found another true freshman Donovan Green in the endzone just three plays later to tie the game.

Short gains by Stewart remained consistent, and the Aggie offense continued to fight late into the night. Two missed Alabama field goals kept the Maroon & White in the game, and with 1:50 left on the clock, the Aggies had one last shot at pulling off the upset.

On the Aggies’ final drive, coach Jimbo Fisher looked to his young freshman receiver to step up under the lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

With the game on the line, a no-call on an obvious pass interference kept Stewart from winning the game.

Stewart grabbed the first two catches of the crucial drive. The Frisco Liberty product not only proved to be a reliable option for King, but when needed, he showed he could also make jaw-dropping plays. After Devon Achane gained a first down, King threw a dart to Stewart, who was sandwiched between two defenders. The freshman’s 23-yard highlight-reel play inched the Aggies closer to the goal line.

On the final play of the game, King targeted Stewart again, but in a 1-on-1 battle, the defender swarmed Stewart. Unfortunately, the throw left the five-star empty-handed. Stewart gave the Aggies 32 of the needed 71-yards on the final drive as the visitors finished two yards short of the upset.

Despite the loss, the freshman’s performance put the Aggies in a position to beat the Crimson Tide. After a couple of drops last week against Mississippi State, growth by Stewart was noticeable as he leaped over that mental hurdle to have his best game of the season.

Making his second debut as Overnight Sensation through six games, Evan Stewart possesses hard-to-find talent and is on track to have a remarkable career in Maroon & White.

Stewart’s stats vs. Alabama
Receptions: 8
Targets: 18
Yards: 106
Touchdowns: 0
Average per catch: 13.25

Stewart’s 2022 stats
Receptions: 26
Targets: 53
Yards: 303
Touchdowns: 1
Average per catch: 11.65