By outreach@cw.ua.edu (Matthew Speakman)
Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart announced he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2017 NFL Draft. As a redshirt junior, Stewart said his decision had a lot to do with his four years at Alabama.
“Me being here for four years and giving everything I have,” said Stewart. “Just being here, I just think it’s time for me to go.”
Stewart finishes his career with 129 catches for 1713 yards and 12 touchdowns. Stewart bursted onto the scene during the 2015 season, doing everything from running the jet sweep to catching passes. He slowly became an important part of Alabama’s offense, as his speed and versatility gave the Crimson Tide a different look on the outside.
Stewart said he showcased his skills to NFL teams throughout his college career.
“They [NFL teams] gonna get a lot. It’s gonna be a bundle,” he said. “They are gonna get the same thing that they saw out here. It’s just what I do. Football is what I’ve done since I’ve been a little guy. So, I’m just gonna do the same things I’ve been doing.”
This season, Stewart built off of his production from his sophomore year. He caught 54 passes for 864 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran the ball eight times for 68 yards. His biggest games came late in the season. Against Mississippi State, he caught eight passes for a season-high 156 yards and three touchdowns- a game that included a 67-yard touchdown catch. In the Iron Bowl, he caught 10 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown.
Stewart said he received a second-round grade from NFL scouts and also said the decision did not come until the end of Alabama’s run.
“It was an end of the season thing,” Stewart said. “I just got in there with my mom and dad talked to them about it. The biggest thing for them was me getting my degree.”
Stewart said he will finish out his degree by taking online classes. Stewart has a chance to impress scouts on Feb. 28 at the NFL Draft Combine.
Source:: The Crimson White Sports
