The transfer portal got brighter just a day before Early Signing Day when former Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart officially entered. Stewart had announced his intentions to enter the portal following the firing of head coach Jimbo Fisher, but didn’t officially get into the portal until December 19, 2023.
With Stewart officially in the portal, which five schools make the most sense for him to transfer to?
Evan Stewart Transfer Landing Spots
A former five-star recruit, Stewart was a prized pickup in the recruiting circuit from Fisher and Co. He flashed that talent on Saturdays in College Station, but a lackluster quarterback situation diminished his production on the field.
Finding a new home won’t be difficult for Stewart. These five schools absolutely have a shot and make the most sense at landing his services.
Texas Longhorns
Once a Longhorn commit, Stewart has ties to the Texas program and was heavily recruited by the Texas (and Alabama) staff back in 2021. With Matthew Golden in the fray, however, the target share looks a bit murky for an inside receiver like Stewart.
Still, Texas is familiar territory and closer to home than most other suitors will be. There is no reason the rich can’t get richer in Austin.
Florida Gators
Hosting Stewart on an official visit during his original recruiting, don’t be surprised if the Gators pop up as a name on the shortlist to secure Stewart’s services. Head coach Billy Napier has to do a lot of make-up work from a lackluster season in 2023 and from what looks like a subpar Early Signing Day.
Stewart’s place on the Gators’ roster makes sense and he’d add a viable weapon in their passing attack. The quarterback situation, however, is currently not the strongest suit for Florida. Graham Mertz is set to return after a season that saw him complete a high percentage of his passes but rarely elevated the talent around him and finished as an average campaign.
Perhaps if the Gators do secure the commitment of five-star QB DJ Lagway on Early Signing Day, Stewart would look closer at Gainesville.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Once upon a time, the Alabama Crimson Tide were in heavy pursuit of Stewart. Ultimately, the former five-star chose Jimbo Fisher and College Station instead of Nick Saban and Tuscaloosa.
In a true life, ‘hindsight is 20-20’ moment for Stewart, he will likely have the chance to do his recruiting over and could very well end up with the Tide. Alabama has already plucked multiple players from A&M since Fisher’s firing, and they also lost WR Ja’Corey Brooks to the portal themselves.
A player like Stewart doesn’t come around often for a second chance to obtain, and Saban can right the proverbial wrong by grabbing him in the portal.
Tennessee Volunteers
A wide-open offense and a team in need of weapons make the Tennessee Volunteers real suitors for Stewart in the portal. Josh Heupel’s offense pairs well for outside receivers as it does inside receivers, but someone with Stewart’s versatility would likely never leave the field.
Couple that with the fact that the quarterback situation looks bright with the promise of Nico Iamaleava and Stewart’s previous unofficial visit to Tennessee, and you’ve got yourself quite the burgeoning pairing.
LSU Tigers
LSU doesn’t quite have the answer at quarterback just yet, but they’ve shown that doesn’t really matter. Jayden Daniels entered the picture two seasons ago with players on his former teammate celebrating his departure on social media all the way to winning the Heisman Trophy less than two years later.
All this to say, the quarterback situation likely doesn’t matter in the Bayou more than the target share does, and there should be plenty of targets to go around for Stewart. Getting in the fold in Baton Rouge wouldn’t be difficult, and he’s familiar with the offense and coaching staff all the same.