Kyle Kennard offers bold prediction for South Carolina EDGE teammate Dylan Stewart

Reporting live from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, former South Carolina football star Kyle Kennard is making waves this week as he prepares for the NFL Draft. After an outstanding season with the Gamecocks, Kennard is looking to boost his draft stock in front of NFL decision-makers. This week, he’ll undergo measurements, drills, on-field testing, and interviews, giving executives a chance to assess both his athletic ability and character.

When Kennard spoke with the media on Wednesday, he shared his thoughts on various topics, but one comment in particular is turning heads among South Carolina fans. When asked about his EDGE partner, Dylan Stewart, Kennard couldn’t hold back his admiration for the rising sophomore.

“That’s my little brother, man. I love Dylan,” Kennard said, beaming with pride. “I’ll start off by saying that.” Kennard then shifted his focus to Stewart’s future in the NFL, emphasizing just how much of a star the young player will be. “Most importantly, [Stewart] will definitely be a first-round pick,” Kennard confidently predicted. “He’s a top-10 lock, for sure.”

Given Kennard’s experience as a dominant EDGE player himself, his endorsement of Stewart carries a lot of weight. The two formed one of the most formidable pass-rush duos in the country this season, with Kennard earning praise for his standout play and Stewart drawing attention as a potential future star.

Kennard is expected to be a day-two pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Although some analysts have even projected him to go in the first round, most mock drafts place him in the second or third rounds. His final season at South Carolina was nothing short of spectacular, earning him the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player and a consensus All-American honor. He led the SEC in both sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (15.5), and his defensive prowess earned him multiple SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Together, Kennard and Stewart made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, even as they faced constant holding from offensive linemen. Their impact this season has been reminiscent of the dominance once displayed by Jadeveon Clowney during his time in Columbia. While Kennard’s numbers speak for themselves, Stewart’s potential has been widely recognized as well.

It’s not just Kennard who believes in Stewart’s future. Earlier this offseason, Fox Sports analyst Rob Rang boldly stated that Stewart would have been a top-10 pick in this year’s NFL Draft if he were eligible. Additionally, both SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic and On3 ranked Stewart as the No. 3 returning player in college football for the 2025 season.

Though Stewart still has two years before he can declare for the draft, Kennard will spend a few more days in Indianapolis with 11 of his Gamecock teammates, all competing for a shot at the NFL. Keep following our NFL Combine Headquarters for all the latest updates from Indianapolis!

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