Darian Stewart

Hard-hitting player who filled the role of the ‘Spur,’ a hybrid linebacker/safety in USC[apos]s defensive scheme in 2008… figures to either return to that position or could slide over to the vacated strong safety position held by Emanuel Cook last season… could be an all-league performer in his final season… defense will rely on his leadership and experience… excellent in pass coverage… considered an excellent tackler…has a wealth of experience with 23 career starts… single-game high is 11 tackles, turned in against Clemson in 2008.

2008: Started all 13 games and was one of the unsung heroes on the squad, turning in an excellent season without much accolade… tied for fourth on the team with 64 tackles and was second with 9.0 tackles for loss… also logged a pair of sacks… led the team with eight pass breakups… forced and recovered two fumbles… had seven tackles, forced and recovered a fumble at Vanderbilt… led the team with seven tackles and two PBUs against UAB… forced a fumble at Ole Miss… had seven tackles including a tackle for loss in the win at Kentucky… logged seven solo tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss including 2.0 sacks, in the win over Arkansas… recovered a fumble at Florida… had a career-high 11 tackles vs. Clemson… earned the Joe Morrison Award as the Defensive Player of the Spring.

2007: Played in all 12 games, making 10 starts, including each of the last eight contests… finished third on the squad with 68 tackles, including 56 solo stops, which was second on the team… had 3.0 tackles for loss… recorded two interceptions and seven pass breakups… recovered two fumbles and forced two more… started for the first time in his collegiate career at Georgia… responded with a team-high nine tackles, all solo stops… also had two pass breakups in the contest… recovered a fumble in the win over South Carolina State… intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter against Mississippi State… forced two fumbles and had an interception in the win at North Carolina… had seven solo tackles and a fumble recovery against Florida.

2006: Saw action in 12-of-13 games as a true freshman, both on defense and on special teams… credited with seven tackles… five of his seven stops came against Wofford… the other two tackles were recorded against Middle Tennessee.

High School: Graduated from Lee High School in Huntsville, Ala. in 2006 where he was coached by David O[apos]Conner… a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com… rated as the #35 safety in America by Rivals.com… made 25 pass receptions for 581 yards (23.2 yards per catch) with six touchdowns… also rushed for five touchdowns… as a free safety he had four interceptions and 54 tackles… led Lee High to an 11-3 record his senior year… selected as the Huntsville Times[apos] Super All-Metro Most Valuable Player as a senior… finalist for the 5A Back of the Year Award… all-city and all-metro honoree in 2004 and 2005… four-year letterwinner for the Lee HS basketball team as a guard was an all-metro selection in 2004 and 2005, earning city MVP honors in 2004… averaged 21 points per game as a junior and 28 points per game as a senior… competed two years on the track & field team.