UNC in the NFL: M.J. Stewart earning valuable reps

Former UNC defensive back M.J. Stewart is making a quick impression in training camp for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

M.J. Stewart was a standout for the North Carolina Tar Heels defense in 2016 and 2017, despite the struggles the unit had at times. After a four-year career at UNC, Stewart went on to be drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second-round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The defensive back is now hoping to be a standout player on the NFL level and be a core piece to the Buccaneers defense for the future.

Stewart projects to play the nickel position in Tampa Bay’s defense and was lined up there through rookie minicamp and OTA’s in May and June. Going into training camp, Stewart will have his chance to compete for the starting job and so far, he’s made a good early impression.

With an injury to Vernon Hargreaves III, Stewart has found himself earning valuable reps with both the first and second team so far in training camp. He’s been working primarily inside but the Buccaneers would like to use him on the outside as well.

Stewart will have to earn his spot as a starter on this defense but it won’t be easy. The Buccaneers have veteran Brent Grimes, former Florida standout Vernon Hargreaves III and fellow rookie Carlton Davis. With the early injury to Hargreaves, Stewart is earning some valuable time and has impressed according to Buccaneers senior writer Scott Smith.

Following Saturday’s practice, Smith wrote a good piece on Stewart’s progress so far.

Smith liked what he saw from Stewart during Saturday’s practice and noted that the defensive back knocked down some passes while lining up in the slot. It appears as if Stewart is holding his own while working with the second team.

"It was a good start for the rookie corner out of North Carolina, but that second play actually gave him a highlight on the practice tape and something to work on.“I had bad technique on one of those but I finished really good,” said Stewart. “That’s what football is about when you’re a DB – even if you have bad technique you’ve got to finish. And then you’ve got to work on your technique and get it right the next time.”"

The Buccaneers focused on defense early in the 2018 NFL Draft but suffered a big blow when defensive tackle Vita Vea went down with a leg injury. The injury isn’t expected to be one that keeps him out for a long term but when you spend three of your first four draft picks on defense, you’d like to have them on the field as much as possible.

Tampa Bay will continue training camp throughout the week as they prepare for their first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 9th.

For more on Stewart and other former UNC players in the NFL, please check back with Keeping It Heel.