Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
DePaul Catholic High School (Wayne, New Jersey) safety Deshawn Stewart had long been familiar with the prestige of the Ohio State football program, dating back to when he watched the Buckeyes win the 2014 national championship, to be exact.
While he wasn't necessarily a lifelong OSU fan, the four-star prospect in the 2025 class always had plenty of praise for Ohio State, especially considering former Buckeye safety Ronnie Hickman went to the same high school as Stewart.
Deshawn Stewart
- Size: 6-1/195
- Position: S
- School: DePaul Catholic (Wayne, New Jersey)
- 247Sports Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #34 S
- Overall Rank: #379
How He Became a Buckeye
Once Stewart received an OSU offer on Jan. 19, 2024, the Buckeyes instantly became one of his top schools. The safety included Ohio State in his top three 10 days after that offer.
“It means everything to me,” Stewart told Eleven Warriors of receiving the offer. “Watching them growing up, you see all the great players come out of there. The offer means a whole lot.”
Two of the biggest reasons for that were the Brotherhood and Buckeye Nation.
“Playing in front of all their fans,” Stewart said when talking about the most appealing thing about potentially playing for OSU. “Coach Day showed me they have the best fanbase in college football. The second college next to them is like (five million fans) behind. So that’s pretty crazy to play in front of all those people. And the brotherhood that they share.”
After a visit to Columbus on March 31, 2024, Stewart fell in love with the campus and coaching staff at Ohio State. Eight days later and six weeks after receiving that coveted offer, Stewart committed to Ohio State, one day after high school teammate De'zie Jones did the same, a weekend that included four 2025 prospects committing to the Buckeyes.
“When he did it, I knew there was no other place we could be,” Stewart said. “This is the place."
Stewart was the 11th overall commitment in the cycle and the first safety to pledge to OSU in the 2025 class.
High School Years
In his sophomore season, Stewart tallied 26 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions at DePaul Catholic (Wayne, New Jersey).
Stewart racked up 56 tackles, one tackle for loss and 19 pass deflections as a junior.
What a hit by DePauls DeShawn Stewart on third and goal, forcing what will likely be a Pope John field goal attempt before half. pic.twitter.com/uQmuYivQrF
— Mike Gurnis (@MikeGurnis) October 14, 2023
Stewart capped his high school career with 50 tackles, nine pass breakups and one fumble recovery in his senior campaign, a season that was cut short due to a knee injury.
Immediate Impact
Better Know A Buckeye
While Stewart has the versatility to play any position in Ohio State's secondary, which will give the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder a more realistic opportunity to see the field early on as an underclassman, the Buckeyes' three-deep in the back end of the defense is full, to say the least.
With that, expect him to contribute on special teams during his first two years in Columbus, showcasing his closing speed, awareness, size and ability to always take the right angle.
Long-Term Impact
While Stewart will have plenty of time to adjust to the speed of the college game while developing his body to become a legitimate Big Ten defensive back, he believes he will be a safety while others project him to be a nickel cornerback that can use his combination of size and speed to shutdown slot wide receivers.
He already has the closing speed and awareness to eventually be a legitimate defense back.
“I see myself playing anywhere in the back end (in college), cornerback, strong safety or nickel,” Stewart said. “But I’d definitely describe myself as a free safety. (My strongest attribute) is my eyes, discipline and knowing where receivers are lining up and how to get leverage. Also, reading the quarterback and knowing where the ball is going to go. I’d say I have pretty good tackling skills, too.”
Pair that with his frame, which he can (and will) add to early in at OSU, and it will lead to Stewart becoming a solid member of Ohiio State's secondary as an upperclassman after proving himself on special teams early on as a Buckeye.
Player Comparison: Jordan Hancock
During Hancock's first two seasons in Columbus, he appeared in just 13 games, a majority of which were on special teams, collecting nine tackles combined.
Then, as a junior, he made a name for himself as a nickel cornerback, collecting 41 tackles (two for loss), two interceptions (one pick-six) and five pass breakups as a junior. Hancock saved his best for last, though, notching 48 tackles (two for loss), an interception and eight pass deflections as a senior. It was not only his ability to dominate in the slot, but Hancock showcased his versatility in the latter of OSU's championship season, playing as the nickel cornerback and as safety while helping lead Ohio State's dominant pass defense. He then became a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Look for Stewart to go on a similar career path as he develops his first two years at Ohio State before showcasing his skill set across the defensive backfield and versatility to play wherever he is needed in the secondary.
