ArDarius Stewart
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = ArDarius Stewart
| image = ArDarius Stewart.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Stewart with the New York Jets in 2017
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|12|8}}
| birth_place = Fultondale, Alabama, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 205
| high_school = Fultondale
| college = Alabama (2013-2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 79
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|2020}})
- BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2022}})*
- DC Defenders ({{XFL Year|2023}})*
| status =
| highlights =
- CFP national champion (2015)
- First-team All-SEC (2016)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 6
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 82
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
| pfr = StewAr00
}}
ArDarius Stewart (born December 8, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Early life
Stewart attended Fultondale High School in Fultondale, Alabama, a suburb outside of Birmingham, where he played on the Wildcats football team.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Erik |date=April 28, 2017 |title=ArDarius Stewart becomes first Fultondale Wildcat selected in NFL Draft |url=http://www.njeffersonnews.com/sports/ardarius-stewart-becomes-first-fultondale-wildcat-selected-in-nfl-draft/article_f2d07ca8-2c52-11e7-97d8-57ff5c7b9174.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709183545/http://www.njeffersonnews.com/sports/ardarius-stewart-becomes-first-fultondale-wildcat-selected-in-nfl-draft/article_f2d07ca8-2c52-11e7-97d8-57ff5c7b9174.html |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=North Jefferson News |language=en}} He played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver in high school.{{Cite web |last=Suttles |first=Aaron |date=November 28, 2016 |title=Alabama's ArDarius Stewart showing off his versatility this season |url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20161129/alabamas-ardarius-stewart-showing-off-his-versatility-this-season |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=Tuscaloosa News}} Stewart committed to the University of Alabama to play college football under head coach Nick Saban.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2012 |title=Ardarius Stewart commits to Crimson Tide |url=https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Ardarius-Stewart-commits-to-Crimson-Tide-104873341 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=BamaOnLine |language=en-US}}
College career
After redshirting his first year at Alabama in 2013, Stewart played in 13 games with two starts in 2014 and recorded 12 receptions for 149 yards.{{Cite web |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=May 13, 2017 |title=ArDarius Stewart following Amari Cooper's NFL tips |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2017/05/ardarius_cooper_following_amar.html |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=AL.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Byington |first=Alex |date=August 24, 2015 |title=Is ArDarius Stewart ‘the man’ among Tide WRs? |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/alabama/2015/08/24/ardarius-stewart-man-among-tide-wrs/32309543/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Ardarius Stewart 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ardarius-stewart-1/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} As a sophomore in 2015, he played in all 15 games, recording 63 receptions for 700 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Ardarius Stewart 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ardarius-stewart-1/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=August 19, 2016 |title=Alabama's Stewart bigger, eager to build on last season's finish |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2016/aug/19/alabamas-stewart-bigger-eager-build-last-seas/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press |language=en}}{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Brynn | title=Alabama’s ArDarius Stewart dangerous with or without the ball | website=Columbus Ledger-Enquirer | date=2016-09-15 | url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article102116907.html | access-date=2024-07-22}} As a junior, he had 54 receptions for 864 yards and nine touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Ardarius Stewart 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ardarius-stewart-1/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Zenitz |first=Matt |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Alabama star WR ArDarius Stewart expected to leave Tide, enter NFL draft |url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2017/01/alabama_wide_receiver_ardarius.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=AL.com |language=en}} After the season, Stewart decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=January 13, 2017 |title=Cam Robinson, Marlon Humphrey, ArDarius Stewart to enter draft |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cam-robinson-marlon-humphrey-ardarius-stewart-to-enter-draft-0ap3000000773687 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Sabin |first=Rainer |date=January 14, 2017 |title=Family, health and draft grade factored into Tide WR ArDarius Stewart's decision to go pro |url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2017/01/family_health_and_draft_grade.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=AL.com |language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11+1/8
| weight = 204
| dash = 4.49
| ten split =
| twenty split =
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical = 34.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 4
| bench =
| arm span = 32+1/2
| hand span = 9+3/8
| wonderlic = 20
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=ArDarius Stewart Draft and Combine Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ardarius-stewart/32005354-4573-8995-a780-9074c0899947 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=NFL.com}}
}}
=New York Jets=
Stewart was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round (79th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Jets Select WR ArDarius Stewart in Round 3 |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-select-wr-ardarius-stewart-in-round-3-18796562 |access-date=April 28, 2017 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} On May 25, 2017, Stewart signed a four-year deal with the Jets worth $3.25 million.{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Manish |date=May 25, 2017 |title=Jets sign third-round pick ArDarius Stewart to standard rookie contract |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-sign-third-round-pick-ardarius-stewart-rookie-deal-article-1.3196146 |access-date=May 25, 2017 |website=New York Daily News}}{{Cite web |title=Jets' ArDarius Stewart: Could earn starting job |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jets-ardarius-stewart-could-earn-starting-job/ |access-date=August 8, 2017 |work=CBS Sports|date=August 8, 2017 }}
On September 10, 2017, Stewart made his NFL debut. He had two receptions for 10 yards in the 21–12 loss to the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at Buffalo Bills - September 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100buf.htm |access-date=September 24, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Overall, in his rookie season, he finished with six receptions for 82 receiving yards in 15 games.{{Cite web |title=ArDarius Stewart 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewAr00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On July 27, 2018, Stewart was suspended for the first two games of the 2018 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2018 |title=ArDarius Stewart Suspended by NFL |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/ardarius-stewart-suspended-by-nfl |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He was waived by the Jets on September 19, 2018, and was re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2018 |title=Jets Waive WR ArDarius Stewart |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-waive-wr-ardarius-stewart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920045525/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-waive-wr-ardarius-stewart |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2018 |website=NewYorkJets.com }}{{Cite web |last=Neumann |first=Sam |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Jets add WR ArDarius Stewart to practice squad, release Deontay Burnett |url=https://jetswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/21/jets-add-wr-ardarius-stewart-to-practice-squad-release-deontay-burnett/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Jets Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He was released on October 5, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Gary |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Jets part with 2017 3rd-round pick ArDarius Stewart for good |url=https://jetswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/05/jets-part-with-2017-3rd-round-pick-ardarius-stewart-for-good/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Jets Wire |publisher=USA Today}}
=Oakland Raiders=
On November 14, 2018, Stewart was signed to the Oakland Raiders practice squad.{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2018 |title=Raiders elevate Blacknall; make practice squad additions |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-elevate-blacknall-make-practice-squad-additions |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Raiders.com}} He was released on November 28, 2018.{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2018 |title=Raiders Return Cowser and Holton to Practice Squad |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-return-cowser-and-holton-to-practice-squad |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Raiders.com}}
=Washington Redskins=
The Washington Redskins signed Stewart to their practice squad on December 26, 2018.{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2018 |title=Redskins Sign Linebacker Marquis Flowers |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-linebacker-marquis-flowers |access-date=December 26, 2018 |website=Redskins.com}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Redskins on December 31, 2018.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2018 |title=Redskins Sign Six Players To Reserve/Future Contracts |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-six-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Redskins.com}} The Redskins waived him on January 7, 2019.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2019 |title=1/7: Redskins Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/1-7-redskins-make-roster-moves |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108145530/https://www.redskins.com/news/1-7-redskins-make-roster-moves |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2019 |website=Redskins.com }}
=Winnipeg Blue Bombers=
On February 27, 2020, Stewart signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
=BC Lions=
On March 14, 2022, Stewart signed with the BC Lions of the CFL. He was released on May 30, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Matt |date=May 30, 2022 |title=Lions Trim Camp Roster By Ten |url=https://www.bclions.com/2022/05/30/lions-trim-camp-roster-by-ten/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=BC Lions |language=en}}
=DC Defenders=
Stewart was assigned to the DC Defenders of the XFL on January 6, 2023.{{cite tweet |user=XFL_PR |title=DC Defenders |number=1611448063754649600 |date=January 6, 2023 |access-date=January 7, 2023}} He was removed from the team's roster on January 23, 2023.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{footballstats|yahoo=30192|espn=3054860}}
- [http://rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3164 Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{Jets2017DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stewart, Ardarius}}
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Players of American football from Jefferson County, Alabama
Category:Washington Redskins players
Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players