Interview: 2020 Arkansas DE/LB Jashaud Stewart Talks Offer and Recruiting Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When the 2018 Arkansas high school football season came around, Class of 2020 defensive end/linebacker Jashaud Stewart made opposing 6A teams take notice. The 6-2, 216-pound, play-maker came up with 81 stops, 59 by himself, with 22 tackles for a loss, five sacks, seven quarterback hurries, four fumble recoveries, forced three fumbles, and even picked off a pass. Beyond opposing offensive coordinators taking notice, so did college football programs. Stewart recently landed an offer from Liberty with in-state power Arkansas along with Mississippi State, Memphis, and SMU watching his progress.

In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with Stewart after he received his offer and competed against top national recruits at the U.S. Army All-American Combine for the inside scoop.

*Click link for Nov. 25, 2018, RNG interview with Jashaud Stewart

Interview

Jashaud, how are your offseason workouts coming along?

“They are going pretty good. We’ve been doing high reps, not heavy weight, in our workouts. We are building up the muscle for the heavy weights. I’ve been doing a lot of back squats, a lot of squats.”

What have you focused on in the weight room with your strength lifting other than doing squats?

“Right now, I am going with the flow with what the coaches want. Like I said, we are doing a lot of low reps on bench press, incline dumbbell press, and working on the shoulders. I have been focused on hip flexor drills to get those loosened up.”

Have you been doing any field work, if so, what have you been doing and where are you seeing improvements?

“I have been doing agility work on the turf and then we go lift, or we do the opposite, workout and the field work. We’ve been doing a lot of ladders and cones. I am seeing improvement in my agility every day when we workout.”

Do you have any camps and/or combines lined up?

“I participated in the U.S. Army All-American Combine (San Antonio).”

Very cool. How did that go?

“It went well. My laser time in the 40 was not great. I run a hand-held 4.59 on the clock. I have to work on my laser timing. I did do well in the one-on-ones.”

Which position did you participate at in the camp?

“I participated at defensive end.”

What did you learn at the camp that will help your game going forward?

“We worked on different moves. I will add those moves to my arsenal. We worked on some hand-fighting drills that will help me as well.”

When the college camps come around, are you going to keep working at end or are you also going to play some at linebacker?

“At the team camps I will be playing linebacker. A lot of schools want to see me standing up at linebacker.”

Nice transition into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?

“I am receiving new interest from SMU and Memphis, Mississippi State, and Arkansas have been showing interest. I recently received an offer from Liberty as well.”

When did Liberty offer?

“They offered me about three days ago.”

Fantastic. Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“In February I am most likely taking my first visit to SMU on the 11th. While I am in Texas, I am going to TCU on the same day. I am still putting more visits on the schedule.”

What has you excited about visiting SMU and TCU?

“I am really excited to see what the schools are like.”

Going away from recruiting. How did last semester end up in the classroom?

“I had pretty good grades. I am trying to get the score needed on that ACT. I have been taking ACT prep classes.”

What goals have you set for yourself this semester to close out your junior season strong?

“I want a 3.5 GPA or higher this semester and I am taking the ACT next month. I am planning on getting a high score.”

Jashaud, congratulations on the offer and showing at the U.S. Army Combine. Good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Jonesboro HS; No. 22 Jashaud Stewart