For the past few days, it has been reported that former Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart has been practicing in College Station, leading to speculation that Stewart might suit up in maroon and white in the upcoming year.
Since Stewart hired an agent, he has essentially forfeited any remaining college eligibility. The only hope was that many NCAA rules had been found to fail under antitrust laws. This provided a slim chance that Stewart could return.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko put the rumors to rest, and it's time for Texas A&M fans to move on to the 2025 season as planned.
Elko ends any hope at Stewart returning to Texas A&M
This isn't too surprising, but it was an excellent opportunity for Elko to tell his side of the story regarding the Stewart situation. During SEC Media Days, he made it crystal clear to GigEm247 about Stewart trying to make a comeback to College Station.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko told @GigEm247 there is no truth to the report/rumors around Shemar Stewart trying to rejoin the Aggie team.
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) July 17, 2025
Great for Elko to help tear down the noise surrounding Stewart, but we only wonder if, deep down, Stewart wanted this bizarre idea actually to work out. The Cincinnati Bengals have been almost treating Stewart like a second-class citizen by attempting to exploit the language of the Collective Bargaining Agreement confusingly.
Elko would love to have his star defensive end come back to College Station, but it's as simple as being drafted and hiring an agent that prevents him from returning. We're sure that if Stewart had known beforehand that he would have to go through all this grief to play for the Bengals, he wouldn't have hesitated to return to Texas A&M for another year.
The Stewart situation is now closed, and it's time to move on to the 2025 season without Stewart on the roster.