Three-year standout Grover Stewart a leader for the Albany State Rams

ALBANY — Down a winding dirt road in Mitchell County, away from the lights of Centennial Stadium, Grover Stewart started his football career far from the neatly manicured football fields and the high-dollar weight room equipment.

The Albany State senior defensive lineman didn’t play much in the recreation leagues. Instead, he played a lot of sandlot football, sharpening his skills one day for a stage much brighter.

“I just worked hard and kept eating good … chicken, collard greens, corn bread, you name it,” Stewart said.

In between pickup games, his father Grover Stewart, Sr., kept him busy, often moving old cars and trees. The Stewarts didn’t use modern equipment — they did it the old-fashioned way — by hand.

“I worked on the farms a lot too,” Stewart said. “We always did a lot of work in watermelons.”

That hard manual labor prepared Stewart for a standout prep career at Mitchell County High School where he played on both the offensive and defensive lines. That followed with a scholarship to Albany State where the senior standout has enjoyed a strong collegiate career. Stewart has played in every game since he set foot on campus in 2013.

As a freshman, he earned first-team all conference honors.

Last year, he finished with 29 tackles (19 solos) and registered 15 tackles for loss. He also recorded seven sacks with a pass break-up and three quarterback hurries. His efforts again landed him on the the SIAC all-conference first team.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder already has 14 tackles and four quarterback sacks this season for the Rams. He also forced a fumble in Albany State’s loss to Tuskegee.

Stewart’s play and reputation as a relentless defender earned him preseason D2Football.com honors as a second-team All-American.

Junior offensive lineman Brian Nathan usually lines up against Stewart in practice.

“It’s a challenge blocking him,” Nathan said. “He comes off the ball hard. He makes all the (offensive) guards work hard.”

Off the field, Stewart is a gentle giant. The criminal justice major jokes, laughs and keeps his teammates on the edge.

The senior will lead the Rams into their home opener Saturday night when they entertain Division II powerhouse West Georgia at the Albany State University Coliseum. ASU will need a big game from Stewart and the Rams to slow down West Georgia’s powerful offensive attack.

If Stewart doesn’t make it to the quarterback, his long arms often are a distraction and he is known for deflecting passes. He has three pass break-ups in his career.

Nathan wouldn’t say whether Stewart beats him in practice, but he is glad that the senior is on his team.

“He’s big … there’s not much else I can say,” Nathan said, “He’s going to make you work.”

Something Albany State hopes Stewart will make West Georgia do Saturday night.