With the recruiting season lying ahead, teams, on the one hand, are blazing with the excitement to get some new eminent names on their roster but, on the other hand, are brooding to keep their assets to themselves amidst other programs’ alluring gazes. When it comes to South Carolina, they are leaving no stone unturned to serve Dylan Stewart with the best of the best NIL packages to avoid a flip. It can only mean a sharp surge in the Defensive End’s existing NIL valuation.

The USC freshman leads the pack at the FBS level with 5.5 sacks, quite justifying his entry to the 14 semifinalists’ list for the coveted Maxwell Football Club’s Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. But he’s not just getting things together on the field, rather, his growing marketability, influential presence, and magnetic star power made him equally a heck of a catch to any business brand. The star currently flaunts his overall (roster value plus NIL) $859K ON3 valuation, but it is soon to touch a soaring high. Reportedly, the freshman will command $1 to $1.5 million on a second-year deal from the Gamecocks’ NIL collective, The Garnet Trust.

According to multiple sources, including Jordan Kaye of The State, Stewart is also expected to make a whooping $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 in 2025. That would represent a significant pay raise from his less-than $500,000 salary in 2024.

However, this seven-digit deal will not stretch beyond the next year. It will only have one season validity and will not cover the rest of his college football career span, which goes up to 2027 when he can opt for the NFL jump.

Sounds mammoth? Well, not more than the worth Dylan Stewart brought to the table.

From a newbie to a bona fide star: Dylan Stewart’s first year with the Gamecocks

Stewart, a five-star recruit in the Class of 2024, grabbed the second rank in his position and a top-20 spot overall. Having some extraordinary defensive stats under his belt, the freshman Edge rusher becomes the cynosure of the Gamecocks this season. Since entering the camp back in January, the QB showcased his prowess at every chance, mounting up the hope for a mammoth future under Shane Beamer’s stewardship.

At 6-foot-6, 248 lbs, he particularly caught the eyeballs during the spring practice period and propelled his team to take him to the starting lineup by the summer. The defensive excellence with 16 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 2.0 forced fumbles through eight games clearly showed his early sparkling wasn’t a hollow claim.

It is not a surprise that high-impact players like Stewart demand the price. With another golden opportunity brewing up against Vanderbilt, the price can only rise in the teen athlete’s favor.

What’s your take on Dylan Stewart being on the verge of a mammoth second-year NIL deal? Let us know in the comments.