Rasaan Stewart

Safety – Senior

Villanova

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?   

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Height is under 6’0, weight was 192 at the pro day and I had 9-inch hands.  I played the season at 205.  Before the pro day, I was 197.  I ran a 4.60 both times. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Before the pro day, I was training at Level 40 facility.  It is about 15 minutes from Villanova’s campus.  I wanted to stay closer to the campus because I had to take two classes to graduate.  I was working with Greg.  He works with a few people in the NFL.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Were you satisfied with your Pro Day performance? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  When it comes to the tests, I could have done better on the broad jump and on the bench, I felt like I could have gotten a couple of more.  At the end of the day, I did well.  My hips were fluid.  I came out of my breaks well.  Scouts can see from my film that I can play football.  I felt good.  I talked to a few teams.  I got a good feeling.  My agent is working on the Eagles local pro day. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What type of feedback did you receive from scouts?

 

Rasaan Stewart:  During positional drills, I looked fluid.  My tests were good.  I was the talk among a few scouts after the field drills.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  I had about 12 offers.  Big schools were Pitt, BC, Syracuse and Temple.  I chose Nova for academics.  My family felt comfortable with the local school.  I played QB in high school.  Every school was interested in me as a safety. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Villanova?

 

Rasaan Stewart:  It was a combination of academics and football.  My parents felt that it would be best for me.  I would stay focused.  I was really comfortable with the coaching staff.  It was definitely the best decision for me.  My dad was in the military for 21 years.  We moved around a lot.  I went to high school 30 minutes from Philly.  Now we live in Houston. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career. 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  It was a transition coming in.  I had to get used to the whole pace of the game.  I started on special teams my freshman year.  I was a transitional player my sophomore year.  I got a good amount of snaps in the nickel.  I definitely saw a lot of improvement.  I started the whole year as a junior.  I had four INT’s.  We went far into the playoffs.  My junior year woke me up.  We lost against South Dakota State in second round.  Senior year, we got hit with a lot of injuries.  I moved from SS to FS.  I had to cover more and be less involved in the run game.  We didn’t have the season that we expected.  It is not always going to be the good times.  You have to fight through adversity.  It helped me in life.  I love my coaches, teammates and the University in general.  I am excited for what will come next. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Versatility.  I have the ability to play SS and be more involved in the run game.  I can also move to FS, make calls for the defense and be vocal.  I can play anything they want me to play in the back end.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  My flexibility and running mechanics.  My football IQ is there.  There are a lot of areas I want to perfect.  Speed is another thing.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Definitely my junior season.  We had great athletes and players on the roster.  We had Tanoh Kpassagnon and Austin Calitro.  My junior year was memorable.  We made it to the playoffs. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your former teammate LB Ed Shockley?

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Ed has been my roommate for the past three years.  I look up to him as a brother.  He has this drive and ambition.  He is a great athlete and he is quick to the ball.  He has the focus and the maturity.  He wants to get better.  You can’t teach mental stuff.  Ed has a bright future ahead of him. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  The Saints.  I was born in New Orleans.  My family is from there.  I rooted for the Eagles because I was here at Villanova. 

Alex Khvatov:  Which NFL player would you compare your game to? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Landon Collins.  It is because he is versatile.  He can blitz, be physical, track the ball and cover a lot of ground.  He makes plays.  He is athletic and strong.  I see flashes of myself when I watch him play.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a safety? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Confidence.  You have to be able to manage the defense and keep the team in line.  You lead by example in the run and the pass game.  You have to be able to handle everything thrown at you.  Versatility is another important thing. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Safety Robert “Quady” Rolle.  We call him Quady because he is Robert Rolle IV.  He had a great junior year.  He got hurt last year.  He is coming off surgery, but he should bounce back.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your nickname?  

Rasaan Stewart:  Everybody calls me “Rock”.  My mom gave me that nickname.  I would never listen as a kid.  I was a hard head.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?

 

Rasaan Stewart:  Tight end from South Dakota State (Dallas Goedert) was a good player.  We played him in the playoffs my junior year. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  I love this game.  It brought so many opportunities to me.  You just can’t hit people in the street, but football makes hitting legal.  In football, you have a certain amount of games and you have to make the most of them.  Football prepares you for life. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  I like to go fishing, ride dirt bikes and hangout with family. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  I was an economics major.  I have plenty of options.  I want to see where life takes me.  I have a job offer from a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Your basketball team is in the Final Four again.  Will Villanova walk away with another championship? 

 

Rasaan Stewart:  We have a great chance to take care of it tomorrow.  I am optimistic.  The whole school is behind them.  A lot of the students went there to San Antonio.  They will try their best.  They should pull it off.  

 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Rasaan Stewart is….

 

Rasaan Stewart:  As a football player, I am a game-changer.  I can come in and impact the game as a safety and on special teams.  I play my role to the best of my ability.  As a man, I am disciplined with my dad being in the military.  I am very mature.