South Carolina’s difficult weekend against Alabama has continued to generate controversy, and former Auburn football captain Chandler Wooten has now weighed in on the way coach Shane Beamer handled star defensive lineman Dylan Stewart.
The Gamecocks suffered a heavy 49-18 defeat to Alabama in Tuscaloosa, but Stewart’s behavior during the game became one of the biggest talking points afterward. The South Carolina standout was involved in multiple tense moments, including a confrontation with coaches on the sideline and a punch directed at Alabama tight end Josh Ford during the fourth quarter.
Beamer responded Sunday by announcing that Stewart had been suspended indefinitely and would not play against Kentucky in Week 5. The coach also said he would make a decision within the following few days regarding Stewart’s longer-term future with the program.
For Wooten, however, the punishment did not appear sufficient. The former Auburn captain, who now plays linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, publicly criticized Beamer’s handling of the situation and argued that Stewart’s actions warranted a much more serious response.
Wooten expressed his disagreement on social media, questioning why Stewart remained with the team after the incidents in Tuscaloosa. His comments suggested that he believed another player who committed similar actions might have faced more severe consequences.
Stewart’s Night Became Increasingly Difficult
The controversy surrounding Stewart went beyond a single incident.
During South Carolina’s loss, cameras captured a heated exchange involving Stewart and Beamer after a penalty earlier in the game. Later, Stewart became involved in another confrontation when he appeared reluctant to leave the field after being instructed to come out.
The most serious moment came in the fourth quarter when Stewart struck Alabama tight end Josh Ford in the helmet. Stewart was penalized for the incident, but he was not ejected from the game.
The incident occurred during a game that had already gone badly for South Carolina. Alabama controlled the contest throughout the night, eventually handing the Gamecocks their second SEC loss of the season.
Beamer made it clear after the game that he was unhappy with what he saw. He described the punch as unacceptable and emphasized that the problem went beyond the physical altercation itself.
“There’s a standard of how we do things in this program,” Beamer said, explaining that Stewart’s overall behavior did not meet that standard.
That message became even more significant when Beamer announced the indefinite suspension the following day.
Beamer Has Left Stewart’s Future Uncertain
Although Stewart’s suspension is indefinite, Beamer has not announced that the defensive star has been permanently removed from the team.
The coach confirmed that Stewart will miss South Carolina’s upcoming game against Kentucky, but he also indicated that another decision about the player’s future would be made soon.
That distinction is important because “indefinite” does not necessarily mean a season-long suspension or dismissal. At this point, Stewart’s eventual return remains unresolved.
The situation also carries additional significance because Stewart is regarded as one of the most talented players on South Carolina’s roster and is widely viewed as a potential high selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. He entered the season as an Associated Press preseason first-team All-American after recording 11 sacks during his first two seasons with the Gamecocks.
Stewart missed South Carolina’s opening two games because of a back injury before returning against Mississippi State. His availability was therefore already a major storyline for the Gamecocks before the Alabama controversy emerged.
Wooten Questions the Standard
Wooten’s criticism adds another layer to the situation because he is familiar with the expectations placed on college football players and the responsibilities that come with representing a program.
As a former Auburn captain, Wooten’s comments focused heavily on accountability. He argued that the response to Stewart should be consistent with whatever standard South Carolina expects from every player, regardless of talent or NFL potential.
His criticism was essentially that the punishment should not appear different simply because Stewart is one of the team’s most important players.
That interpretation, however, is Wooten’s opinion rather than an established fact about Beamer’s motives. Beamer has publicly framed his decision around program standards and accountability, while leaving the door open to a further decision about Stewart’s future.
The coach has not publicly said that Stewart’s status as a highly regarded NFL prospect played any role in the punishment.
South Carolina Now Faces a Bigger Problem
The Stewart controversy comes at a particularly difficult moment for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina is now 2-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play following losses to Mississippi State and Alabama. The Gamecocks will face Kentucky next, and Stewart’s absence could make an already challenging situation more difficult.
Stewart has not yet produced the same statistical impact he had during his first two seasons, partly because of his injury absence. Still, his talent and experience make him an important part of South Carolina’s defensive plans.
The Gamecocks therefore have to manage two separate issues at the same time: improving their performance on the field and maintaining discipline within the program.
For Beamer, the Stewart situation represents a test of how he balances those responsibilities. Suspending a key player can hurt the team competitively, but allowing disciplinary problems to go unanswered can create a different set of challenges.
Wooten’s criticism shows that there is already disagreement over whether Beamer’s response has gone far enough.
What Happens Next for Dylan Stewart?
The immediate answer is clear: Stewart will not play against Kentucky.
The longer-term answer remains uncertain.
Beamer has said he will determine what Stewart’s future looks like with the program in the coming days. That could mean an extended suspension, a return to the team under certain conditions, or another disciplinary decision. No final outcome beyond the Kentucky absence has been announced.
For South Carolina, the priority will be determining how to move forward while maintaining the standards Beamer has emphasized.
For Stewart, the incident represents a significant setback during a season in which he entered with major expectations. After missing the first two games because of injury, he now faces another interruption because of his conduct during the Alabama loss.
And for Wooten, the issue is bigger than one player missing one game. His public criticism centers on accountability and whether the same standards should apply to every player inside a college football program.
The coming days should provide more clarity on Stewart’s status. Until then, the Gamecocks will have to prepare for Kentucky without one of their most talented defensive players while Beamer decides how the program intends to handle the situation beyond Week 5.
This keeps the strong controversy angle while distinguishing Wooten’s criticism from the confirmed facts surrounding Stewart’s suspension.
Leave a Reply