Darian Stewart (born August 4, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a strong safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 NFL Draft and has also played for the Baltimore Ravens. As a member of the Denver Broncos, he won a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017.
High school career
Stewart played high school football at Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama. Stewart was a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com and was rated as the No. 35 safety in America and was on the Rivals.com Alabama Top 25 2006 list. Stewart was selected as the Huntsville Times Super All-Metro Most Valuable Player as a senior and was named finalist for the 5A Back of the Year Award. He was all-city and all-metro honoree in 2004 and 2005. He also competed in track & field as a triple jumper.
College career
Stewart enrolled at South Carolina in 2006 and immediately saw action in 12 out of 13 games, both on defense and on special teams. He was a 2009 East-West Shrine Invite. In 2008, he played in 13 games with 13 starts and made 64 tackles (46 solo) and none for losses. In addition, he had 2 sacks, 8 pass breakups and forced two fumbles while recovering two. He earned the Joe Morrison Award as the Defensive Player of the Spring. In 2007, he played in 12 games with 10 starts. He made 68 tackles (56 solo) and three were for losses. He intercepted 2 passes, broke up 7 passes, recovered 2 fumbles and forced 2 fumbles. In 2006 his numbers were as follows: 2006: 12 GP; 0 GS; 5 Sol-7 TT; Saw action in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman, both on defense and on special teams.
Professional career
St. Louis Rams
On April 26, 2010, the St. Louis Rams signed Stewart to a two-year, $737,500 contract after he went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft.
2010
Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot and a job as a backup safety against David Roach, Craig Dahl, James Butler, and Kevin Payne. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo named Stewart the backup free safety behind Oshiomogho Atogwe and the backup strong safety behind Craig Dahl and James Butler.
He made his professional regular season debut in the St. Louis Rams' season-opening 17–13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 3, Stewart recorded his first career tackle of fullback Mike Sellers after he caught an 11-yard pass from Donovan McNabb and finished the Rams' 30–16 victory against the Washington Redskins with two solo tackles. On December 12, 2010, Stewart collected two solo tackles and recorded his first career sack on quarterback Drew Brees during the Rams' 31–13 loss at the New Orleans Saints. In Week 16, he recorded a season-high five solo tackles in their 25–17 win against the San Francisco 49ers. He finished his rookie season in with 17 combined tackles (16 solo), two pass deflections, and a sack in 13 games and zero starts.
2011
Stewart entered training camp competing in a competition to name a starting free safety after it was left vacant by the departure of Oshiomogho Atogwe. He competed against Craig Dahl, James Butler, and rookie Jermale Hines. Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole named Craig Dahl as the starting free safety, alongside Quintin Mikell, with Stewart as his backup to begin the regular season.
On September 25, 2011, Stewart earned his first career start after surpassing Craig Dahl on the depth chart. He finished the Rams' 37–7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with four solo tackles. In Week 8, Stewart recorded seven combined tackles, two pass deflections, and returned an interception by Drew Brees for a 27-yard touchdown during a 31–21 win against the New Orleans Saints. His touchdown in the fourth quarter helped the Rams gain a 24–21 lead and marked his first career interception and touchdown. On November 20, 2011, Stewart collected a season-high eight solo tackles as the Rams lost 24–7 to the Seattle Seahawks. On November 27, 2011, he made seven combined tackles and a sack before leaving the Rams' 23–20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter after sustaining a concussion. He remained in concussion protocol and missed the Rams' Week 13 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the season with a career-high 84 combined tackles (67 solo), 11 pass deflections, a career-high three sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, and a touchdown in 15 games and 13 starts.