Beamer Suspends Stewart After Punch in Bama Blowout — SkimNews
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- Shane Beamer suspended Dylan Stewart indefinitely after the projected top-10 2026 NFL Draft pick punched Alabama's Josh Ford in the fourth quarter of a 49-18 loss, saying 'it's beyond the punch' that violated program standards.
- Stewart has a documented pattern of emotional penalties — he was ejected against Vanderbilt last season for a second unsportsmanlike-conduct flag, and in 2024 his imaginary-gun gesture over Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart prompted the NCAA rules committee to add 'brandishing' to its unsportsmanlike-conduct language.
- South Carolina sits 2-2 overall and 0-0 in SEC play (technically winless in conference) after losing 11 of its last 13 games against Power Four opponents under Beamer, and last Saturday's home game against No. 24 Kentucky could be decisive for his future.
- Beamer's buyout is $27.9 million if he is fired before the end of the season, and AD Jeremiah Donati was in the locker room postgame; Beamer cited Jeremiah 17:7-8 when asked about heat on his job.
- Beamer stopped short of a permanent dismissal, telling reporters he will decide Stewart's longer-term status 'in the next day or so' after further meetings.
Why it matters: Beamer is gambling that enforcing the standard on his most talented — and likely most NIL-valuable — defender will keep the rest of the locker room aligned during a 2-2 stretch where his $27.9 million buyout is already in play; for Stewart, the indefinite suspension threatens a projected top-10 draft stock that turns on availability and reputation.
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