Aug. 31, 2009

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State football head coach Brock Spack added to the depth of his defensive line just days before the Redbirds take on Eastern Illinois with the addition Kansas State transfer Xzavier Stewart. Stewart, a 6-foot-1, 315-pound defensive tackle, was added to the roster after playing his first two seasons for the Wildcats.

Spack believes Stewart could have an immediate impact on the defensive line and hopes to get him acclimated to the system as soon as possible.

"He gives us a big, athletic tackle in the middle of our defense," Spack said. "In football, just like the sport of baseball, you have to be solid up the middle. In baseball, teams rely on their catchers, pitchers, middle infielders and center field. In football, our success is connected heavily to the play of your quarterback, tailback, center, defensive tackles, middle linebacker and safety. We need to be strong up the middle and Xzavier should be a key addition on the line."

The Chicago native has played in five games in his two-year collegiate career, including a starting assignment in the final game of the 2007 season against Fresno State. In total, Stewart recorded seven tackles and a tackle-for-loss for Kansas State and will have two years of eligibility remaining for ISU.

"He's obviously a bit behind, but he went through two-a-days at Kansas State and appears to be in good shape," Spack said. "He has experience playing in the Big 12, which should help him get up to speed a bit quicker than most. We are impressed by his talent level and size and look forward to seeing what he can do on the field."

During his prep career at Morgan Park High School, he helped the Mustangs to an 8-5 record and a berth in the Illinois Class 7A semifinals as a senior. Under head coach Lexie Spurlock, he collected 110 tackles and posted 11 sacks to lead a defense that allowed just 14.8 points per game.

Stewart initially chose Kansas State, despite offers from Minnesota and Northern Illinois. He also received interest from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Central Michigan during the recruiting process.