Dutchtown WR Joe Stewart hearing from Hawaii

Dutchtown’s Joe Stewart’s distracting ways have helped the Bulldogs to a breakout season. In its fifth varsity season, the Henry County school has assured itself of its first non-losing season. The Bulldogs are 5-4 heading into this weekend’s game against Region 4-AAAA leader North Clayton. They had not won more than two games in any of the previous four seasons. A big reason is the 6-foot, 165-pound Stewart, who has played quarterback, wide receiver, running back and kick returner. He specializes in returning kicks and playing receiver. His 4.4 speed in the 40 has drawn attention of more than recruiters. “When I’m on the field, people are looking to see where I am,” said Stewart, who was averaging three catches and 40 receiving yards per game entering last week’s 27-22 loss to Griffin. “People won’t even kick off to me. If they kick it, they kick it away from me. I’m double-teamed all the time [at receiver]. … “I don’t like it, but if that helps my team win, it’s OK being a distraction.” Stewart has offers from Missouri, where his father Joe Sr. played, as well as Stanford, Ole Miss, North Carolina State, Central Florida, Hawaii and several smaller programs.

Dutchtown's Joe Stewart may follow NFL dad's footsteps to Missouri

Dutchtown playmaker Joe Stewart is wise to listen to his father, Joe Sr., a former NFL receiver. But that doesn’t mean he’ll follow Dad’s footsteps in college. Joe Sr. still holds record at the University of Missouri, and while the Tigers are on the younger Stewart’s lengthy list of offers he may not end up at the Big 12 school. “He put everything on me and says whatever I want, wherever I want to go,” Stewart said of his father’s advice in the recruiting process. “He says, ‘If you’re good enough they’ll come and find you.’” Which may or may not mean Mizzou. The 6-foot, 165-pound “athlete” with 4.4 speed in the 40 also has offers from Stanford, Ole Miss, North Carolina State, Central Florida, Hawaii, along with several smaller programs. Alabama is in the mix, too, although an offer hasn’t come yet. Stewart, who projects as a receiver/kick returner in college, said Alabama wrote him a few weeks ago to tell him that they were coming to see him play and has been in contact since. “They’ve been contacting me every week. I’m hoping they’ll offer,” he said. Stewart has visits planned to Missouri, Central Florida and Stanford, and would like to swing a visit to Hawaii, for obvious reasons.

Dutchtown WR Stewart favors Missouri

Dutchtown wide receiver Joe Stewart said he has been favoring Missouri since attending camp at the Big 12 school earlier in the summer. “I talk with Missouri a lot; they’ve really been showing me a lot of attention,” Stewart said. “They like me at slot receiver and to return kickoffs and punts.” Stewart said he plans to make official visits to Missouri and Stanford, and maybe Central Florida. The member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150 also has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Texas Tech, among others. Stewart was offered by Georgia Tech last year as a junior, but never heard from the Yellow Jackets after the coaching change.

Dutchtown WR Joe Stewart favors Missouri

Dutchtown wide receiver Joe Stewart said he has been favoring Missouri since attending camp at the Big 12 school earlier in the summer. “I talk with Missouri a lot; they’ve really been showing me a lot of attention,” Stewart said. “They like me at slot receiver and to return kickoffs and punts.” Stewart said he plans to make official visits to Missouri and Stanford, and maybe Central Florida. The member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150 also has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Texas Tech, among others. Stewart was offered by Georgia Tech last year as a junior, but never heard from the Yellow Jackets after the coaching change.