Mathis, Stewart Added to Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List
10/7/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Maxwell Football Club announced its mid-season watch list additions for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award today and Maryland defensive linemen Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart have been added.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the most outstanding freshman in college football since 2018. The award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by players on their respective teams throughout the season.
Mathis has started all five games for the Terps as a true freshman and ranks second on the team in both sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (5.0). A Philadelphia native, Mathis ranks fifth on the team with 19 tackles and he posted a career-high seven tackles and blocked a field goal in Maryland's win at Wisconsin.
Stewart has also started every game of his true freshman season and has recorded at least half a sack in each of Maryland's five games. He ranks second in the Big Ten and third nationally with 4.5 sacks on the year. Stewart leads the Big Ten with 7.5 tackles for loss.
With the additions of Mathis and Steward, Maryland now has three players on the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List. Terrapin quarterback Malik Washington was named to the preseason watch list in August.
Maryland is back in action this Saturday, hosting Nebraska at SECU Stadium. The game is set to kickoff at 3:30 PM and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the most outstanding freshman in college football since 2018. The award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by players on their respective teams throughout the season.
Mathis has started all five games for the Terps as a true freshman and ranks second on the team in both sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (5.0). A Philadelphia native, Mathis ranks fifth on the team with 19 tackles and he posted a career-high seven tackles and blocked a field goal in Maryland's win at Wisconsin.
Stewart has also started every game of his true freshman season and has recorded at least half a sack in each of Maryland's five games. He ranks second in the Big Ten and third nationally with 4.5 sacks on the year. Stewart leads the Big Ten with 7.5 tackles for loss.
With the additions of Mathis and Steward, Maryland now has three players on the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List. Terrapin quarterback Malik Washington was named to the preseason watch list in August.
Maryland is back in action this Saturday, hosting Nebraska at SECU Stadium. The game is set to kickoff at 3:30 PM and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.
-MARYLAND-
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