University of South Alabama Athletics

Jaguar Highlights: Expected to contribute as a ‘Bandit’ linebacker his final season at the collegiate level ... Credited with a pair of unassisted stops in the second scrimmage of the spring.

As A Junior (2018): Started three times while appearing in every game ... Posted a career-best 28 tackles, with the total including 3½ stops behind the line of scrimmage with one of those a sack ... Also credited with a forced fumble ... Recorded a career-best seven tackles — sharing team-high honors in the category — at eventual Sun Belt Conference champion Appalachian State ... Made four solo stops at Oklahoma State, including a pair for a loss of four yards ... Had four tackles in the season opener against Louisiana Tech, ending the contest with a sack and a forced fumble ... Finished with four stops in win over Texas State ... Credited with a pair of tackles — including an assist behind the line — at Memphis ... Also made two stops at Arkansas State and against ULM in South’s annual Homecoming game.

As A Sophomore (2017): Played in every contest, splitting time on defense and special teams ... Finished the year with a total of 15 stops, which included one behind the line of scrimmage, and a quarterback hurry ... Recorded a season-high three tackles in wins over both Alabama A&M and ULM on Homecoming weekend ... Posted a pair of stops in Sun Belt Conference matchups with Idaho and Georgia State ... Had a solo tackle in season debut at Ole Miss ... Lone stop was for a loss of two yards in victory over Troy in the “Battle For The Belt” ... Made a tackles in each of the last three outings of the season, which included a Senior Day defeat of Arkansas State.

As A Freshman (2016): Saw action in eight of the team’s last nine games ... Made his collegiate debut in the Jaguars’ win over No. 19 San Diego State ... Credited with a pair of assisted stops against rival Troy and in victory over Presbyterian.

High School Highlights: Received two stars from Rivals.com and 247Sports.com ... A two-year starter at Walton HS, recording 79 tackles — including six behind the line — and two fumble recoveries in his career ... Part of a WHS team that went 9-2, posting a runner-up finish in the region while qualifying for the state AAAAAA playoffs, his senior year ... Credited with 46 tackles, with 3½ of those for a loss ... Returned an interception 75 yards for a score in Raiders season-opening victory and also added a fumble recovery later in the year ... Posted a career-high nine stops in a three-point win over Wheeler High, which included a solo tackle behind the line of scrimmage ... As a junior, collected 33 tackles and made 2½ stops behind the line of scrimmage ... Finished with a season-best seven stops against Milton HS and was credited with six stops in two other contests.

Personal: Full name is Taji Taquar Stewart ... Born March 17, 1998, in San Jose, Calif. ... Son of Taquar Stewart and Makeba Jenkins ... Favorite athletes are Ray Lewis and Odell Beckham Jr. ... Likes to watch movies in his spare time ... Also had scholarship offers from Troy, Middle Tennessee and East Carolina ... Major is communication with a marketing minor.