Maryland football’s Sidney Stewart is aiming to build off of his standout freshman season as the Terps prepare for the fall after their spring showcase on April 25.
The 6-foot-2, 255-pound edge rusher out of Concordia Prep totaled 32 tackles and a team-high seven sacks as well as one forced fumble and two pass breakups in 2025. Despite having the opportunity to seek other opportunities via the transfer portal, Stewart chose to stay with Maryland because of his personal ties and the team itself.
“One, I’m from here, so I’ve just got a little bit of different ties to here,” Stewart said on Glenn Clark Radio April 24. “A lot of friends, my family, people are able to come to the game for me. That’s a big piece. Seeing what we had from the team and what we were able to retain, the talent really isn’t a question. We have the talent capable of winning games.”
Stewart said his long-term goal is to play in the NFL after college, and that that goal factored into his decision to stay in Maryland.
“With this type of staff and playing under [defensive coordinator Ted Monachino], I think I’m going to be all the more ready to play in the NFL,” he said. “All those things probably is what led me to stay.”
Stewart said that staying in the same defensive system under Monachino will help him to improve.
“The more understanding and practice I had under this playbook, I think just allows me to maybe take some of my own thoughts into the play instead of maybe being more robotic,” he said. “Just more understanding of what is ahead of me and what to expect from teams I’m playing against. It’s a lot easier to get settled in and play how I want to play.”
He also said how physical growth has allowed him to develop.
“Obviously I think I developed physically, too — like getting faster, stronger,” he said, mentioning how time and repetition are key ways to improve.
Stewart said that the addition of former NFL defensive tackle Randy Starks to the staff as defensive line coach has brought value. Starks joined Maryland in February. He was an All-American player for the Terps in college and had a 12-year career in the NFL.
“Having somebody to look up to, like that’s the type of legacy I want to leave at Maryland, too,” Stewart said. “I just think it’s inspiring. It’s cool to have him on staff, for sure.”
Looking closer at next season, Stewart said he is confident in the team’s young linebacker group. He specifically mentioned five-star recruit Zion Elee, returning edge rusher Zahir Mathis and others.
“Our linebacker room is probably one of the youngest — not just that, but one of the most talented in the nation,” Stewart said. “Just having a rotation of guys, when we’re not tired it’s going to be a lot to deal with for offenses.”
The spring showcase was an opportunity for fans to get a first look at the team’s potential as well as a chance for players to connect with fans after weeks of preparation. The event included an open practice to watch, as well as activities at Jones-Hill House, which made for an interactive alternative to the traditional spring game.
“I know people are on the edge of their seat ready for football to start back up,” Stewart said.
Reflecting on last season, Stewart acknowledged the team’s difficulty with finishing games on top, even when they were super close. The Terps went 4-8 but lost three one-score games in the Big Ten.
“We were a losing team last year, and we had plenty of opportunities to win games not just in the fourth quarter but throughout the entire game,” Stewart said. “There were a lot of missed plays offensively and defensively, even on special teams and stuff. … The silver lining is that we were one step away or maybe one play away.
He said this was due to execution, not a lack of talent.
“It shows that talent isn’t enough,” Stewart said. “For us as a young team, we [can] take the experience of last year and just add it on to our talent. I think a great season is ahead.”
For more from Stewart, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics