🏈 Alabama’s 6-foot-8 walk-on TE has a wild backstory

[RTB X Bot]

The story of Cam Stewart is nearly hidden on the Alabama football roster. Even as a 6-foot-8 tight end, the walk-on doesn’t garner much attention.

He’s the tallest player on Alabama’s roster, and also one of its oldest. He’s a 23-year-old sophomore. Stewart walked on at Alabama last season after a three-year minor league baseball career. Stewart was a pitcher in the San Diego Padres’ organization.

When he decided to go to college, he wanted to try playing football.

“It’s cool to see both worlds,” he said. “It’s cool that I’m older and experienced baseball first, and now I come here and see everything that comes with Alabama football. I think I’m able to enjoy it a little bit more because I am older. It’s cool to see the younger guys go through it. The whole experience has been unbelievable.”

Stewart arrived at Alabama and had a lot to learn. But Mario Cristobal and Joe Pannunzio, Alabama’s current and former tight ends coaches, had both worked with former Miami Hurricanes tight end Jimmy Graham as he transitioned from basketball to football. They had an idea of how to help Stewart along.

His size means he’s a valuable scout team player. He can imitate opposing players that his teammates may have trouble with and provide a different look for the defense. His professional baseball career means that his eligibility in that sport is finished, but he’s still interested in the sport.

“We’ve chit-chatted a good bit about baseball,” said linebacker Keith Holcombe, who also plays baseball. “I haven’t seen him pick up a baseball and throw it since he’s been on the team. I’m sure he can still sling it.”

Stewart has done all this while doubling as a pre-med student. He’ll play as long as he can, but he has plans when he finishes the second act of his athletic career.

“I heard Kobe Bryant say this the other day, if sports is the best thing he’s ever done, then he’s not doing the right thing,” Stewart said. “Sports is fun. It’s a game. At the end of the day, it’s a game. It’s entertainment. I think what really matters to me is helping other people. I want to help as many people as I can.”

 

[BamaMD]

" His size means he’s a valuable scout team player."

Scout team???! How about using him in a game. His size alone gives him the ability to shield defenders and extend to catch the ball away from his body. This guy would be deadly in the red zone and in the short to intermediate passing game. I'm sure Stanford, Penn State and Michigan would definitely find a way to use him in a game and not just the scout team.

 

[alabama mike]

TE the most under used player on the field....except with Coach Smith.

 

[EasyTider]

Figured TE would be targeted more with Daboll. We aren't the exception though. Seems that the TE is being used as a receiver less and less as offenses evolve. Kinda like running the fullback.

 

[JoshB]

" His size means he’s a valuable scout team player."

Scout team???! How about using him in a game. His size alone gives him the ability to shield defenders and extend to catch the ball away from his body. This guy would be deadly in the red zone and in the short to intermediate passing game. I'm sure Stanford, Penn State and Michigan would definitely find a way to use him in a game and not just the scout team.

So, if he sucks and can't catch a cold he should be out there anyway, huh? You've literally never seen 5 seconds of this kid, but you read that he's 6'8" and question why we aren't throwing it to him 12 times a game? Think there might be a small reason that a) he's a walk-on and b) he hasn't been used? Get a grip. Again you have never seen a single second of this kid and you're SURE that Stanford, Penn or Michigan would be finding ways for this guy to go out there and be a stud, huh? You would think that Nick Saban might know what he's doing after all these years. BamaMD knows better though.