As the 2027 NFL draft approaches, the conversation around elite pass‑rushers is already shaping the early projections of top analysts.
Jordan Reid and Matt Miller, both prominent voices on ESPN’s draft coverage, have turned their attention to two sophomore standouts: South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart and Texas’ Colin Simmons.
Stewart’s Emerging Profile
Stewart burst onto the scene with a freshman campaign that yielded 23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, earning unanimous Freshman All‑America honors and a spot on the SEC All‑Freshman team.
His sophomore year saw a modest increase in production, with 33 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass breakups, enough to secure a second‑team All‑SEC nod from coaches.
Simmons’ Impact in Texas
At Texas, Simmons has posted even more eye‑catching numbers, including 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2024, plus a freshman award that recognized him as the conference’s top newcomer.
He continued to ascend in 2025, finishing with 43 tackles, a team‑high 12 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, earning All‑SEC First Team recognition and Second Team All‑America honors from several outlets.
While both players share comparable athletic metrics, Simmons’ collegiate production has outpaced Stewart’s, a fact that has guided Miller’s ranking of Simmons as the top edge rusher in the class.
Reid, however, places Stewart at the pinnacle, citing the player’s disruptive ability and upside as reasons for his top spot.
The disagreement underscores the subjective nature of draft analysis, where statistical output, conference competition and projected NFL fit all intersect.
Both prospects will continue to be monitored through upcoming seasons, with the SEC and its member programs — such as the South Carolina Gamecocks and Texas Longhorns — providing further platforms for evaluation.
The ultimate decision will rest on how NFL teams weigh collegiate production against measurable athleticism, a calculus that could reshape the early rounds of the 2027 draft.