Better Know a Buckeye: Deshawn Stewart’s Versatility Paired With His Speed and Awareness Will Allow Him To Be a Legitimate Part of Ohio State’s Secondary As an Upperclassman
When Deshawn Stewart first stepped onto the Woody Hayes Athletic Center practice field, coaches noticed something different. It wasn’t just his 6’0″, 190-pound frame or the way he closed on receivers like a heat-seeking missile. It was the intangibles—an innate awareness, an anticipation that felt more like instinct than coaching. A product of New Jersey’s powerhouse Don Bosco Prep, Stewart brought with him a tenacious edge, forged in one of the country’s most competitive prep programs. And now, that edge is carving out a real place in Ohio State’s future secondary.
Though Stewart entered Columbus as a mid-tier four-star recruit, Ohio State’s coaching staff quickly recognized his upside. His freshman year was mostly spent on special teams and soaking up reps in the film room, where he reportedly watched hours of Malik Hooker, Lathan Ransom, and even NFL All-Pro Derwin James. By the spring of his sophomore year, he was rotating with the second unit, drawing praise from defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for his “cerebral presence” and “explosive hips.”
What separates Stewart isn’t just physical ability—it’s versatility. At Don Bosco, he played free safety, strong safety, and nickel. At Ohio State, he’s added boundary corner to that list. Coaches rave about his adaptability in the “adjuster” role—Knowles’ hybrid safety position that demands equal parts range, smarts, and physicality. Stewart checks all those boxes. His 4.45 forty-yard dash speed allows him to cover deep zones, while his sharp tackling technique makes him a force in run support.
During spring scrimmages this year, Stewart made waves with two interceptions—one a leaping snag over the middle, the other a film-room special, where he diagnosed a screen before the quarterback even released the ball. “He’s not just reacting out there,” cornerbacks coach Tim Walton said. “He’s predicting.”
Stewart’s leadership is also starting to blossom. He’s often the first in the facility and the last to leave. He’s already mentoring younger DBs and has taken a vocal role in the locker room. Veterans like Denzel Burke have publicly endorsed him as “the future of the back end.” That future, it seems, is arriving faster than expected.
Looking ahead to his junior and senior seasons, Stewart projects as a vital component in Knowles’ aggressive scheme. With the departure of upperclassmen, he’ll be in prime position to start—likely in a hybrid safety role, though his skills offer flexibility across the board. Given his trajectory, don’t be surprised if he becomes not just a starter, but a tone-setter—someone opposing coordinators must game plan around.
Deshawn Stewart may not have arrived in Columbus with five-star headlines, but by the time he leaves, his legacy could be one of Ohio State’s most versatile and dynamic defenders of the decade. His story is still being written, but the chapters ahead look explosive. Buckeye Nation should take notice—No. 27 is coming, and he’s bringing range, grit, and a whole lot of speed with him.
