Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Five Questions with Donald Stewart
9/28/2021 6:49:00 PM | Football
“Coach Higgins is one of my favorite people, and I’m so blessed to be coached by him. He’s definitely made a positive impact in my life.” - Donald Stewart
Donald Stewart is one of nine super-seniors who came back for one extra year with Wake Forest Football — adding experience, talent and depth to a program that is seeking to move from 'good' to 'great' in the 2021 season.
Stewart transferred to Wake Forest after four seasons at Stanford, and was in the middle of his breakout game against NC State last fall when he was taken out with an ankle injury that derailed the rest of his season. He returned to fall camp in the best shape he's ever been, worked on building a great relationship with quarterback Sam Hartman and is excelling in his final collegiate season including a breakout performance against Norfolk State with four receptions for a career-best 61 yards.
He spent a few minutes recently with Deacon Sports Xtra for this Five Questions feature.
After hearing so much about your spring, I have to ask what the best moment was for you?
Stewart: " First day we went to the stadium. It's great to feel at home and it was great to have the student body come out. My high school coach came out to watch. To see his face, grasp the playbook and feel in great shape — it was just a beautiful day. That first practice in the stadium was one of my favorite days."
What was the most difficult part of the transfer to Wake Forest?
Stewart: "Just finding my way through a new organization. I came back to the east coast from the west coast and had to learn new terminology. I had to get used to different coaching styles and teammates. It was just a learning curve figuring out how to fit in and navigate my way through Wake Forest. The playbook was tough at first, but just working with (offensive coordinator coach R (Warren Ruggiero), Sam (Hartman), Taylor Morin and Q (Jaquarii Roberson) — those guys have really helped me get the playbook down. Just getting used to a new system was the toughest for me."
Where does the leadership come from in the receiver room?
Stewart: "Ever since the last game of 2020 when we played against Wisconsin, Q has come back with an unbelievable mindset. He's attacked every single day, starting with The Awakening, on to the workouts, spring ball, fall camp and then this fall. He's broken us down every single day, making sure we come with energy and we come with juice. He makes sure we're on top of our stuff off the field as well. I feel Jaquarii Roberson has really taken charge as a leader in our receiver room. Jahmal Banks also had an incredible offseason. Those two guys have really stepped up and I'm happy to be playing with those guys.
"He's probably one of the most hungry people I've ever met. He drove to Charlotte before school let out to throw with Sam. He probably works with Sam more than any other receiver. He's hungry and he's going to have another great year. That was not a fluke for Jaquarii Roberson."
What are your thoughts on the up-tempo offense at Wake Forest?
Stewart: "I love the tempo we play with. I feel like as long as we're in shape and we can sustain those 10-12 play drives and still be at 90 percent at the end of the drive, that will be big for us because our opponents will be tired. Coach R, (wide receiver) coach (Kevin) Higgins, (offensive line) coach (Nick) Tabacca, (tight end) coach (Wayne) Lineburg and (running back) coach (John) Hunter do a great job — they put together a great scheme for us to be successful. All we have to do is be in shape and be on the details of our assignments and we're going to have a really good year."
What is it like to play for coach Higgins?
Stewart: "I love coach Higgins. He brings positive juice every single day. He gives me his best for any questions I have both on or off the field. I feel like he's been like a father figure for me through the years. Coach Higgins is one of my favorite people, and I'm so blessed to be coached by him. He's definitely made a positive impact in my life."
Stewart transferred to Wake Forest after four seasons at Stanford, and was in the middle of his breakout game against NC State last fall when he was taken out with an ankle injury that derailed the rest of his season. He returned to fall camp in the best shape he's ever been, worked on building a great relationship with quarterback Sam Hartman and is excelling in his final collegiate season including a breakout performance against Norfolk State with four receptions for a career-best 61 yards.
He spent a few minutes recently with Deacon Sports Xtra for this Five Questions feature.
After hearing so much about your spring, I have to ask what the best moment was for you?
Stewart: " First day we went to the stadium. It's great to feel at home and it was great to have the student body come out. My high school coach came out to watch. To see his face, grasp the playbook and feel in great shape — it was just a beautiful day. That first practice in the stadium was one of my favorite days."
What was the most difficult part of the transfer to Wake Forest?
Stewart: "Just finding my way through a new organization. I came back to the east coast from the west coast and had to learn new terminology. I had to get used to different coaching styles and teammates. It was just a learning curve figuring out how to fit in and navigate my way through Wake Forest. The playbook was tough at first, but just working with (offensive coordinator coach R (Warren Ruggiero), Sam (Hartman), Taylor Morin and Q (Jaquarii Roberson) — those guys have really helped me get the playbook down. Just getting used to a new system was the toughest for me."
Where does the leadership come from in the receiver room?
Stewart: "Ever since the last game of 2020 when we played against Wisconsin, Q has come back with an unbelievable mindset. He's attacked every single day, starting with The Awakening, on to the workouts, spring ball, fall camp and then this fall. He's broken us down every single day, making sure we come with energy and we come with juice. He makes sure we're on top of our stuff off the field as well. I feel Jaquarii Roberson has really taken charge as a leader in our receiver room. Jahmal Banks also had an incredible offseason. Those two guys have really stepped up and I'm happy to be playing with those guys.
"He's probably one of the most hungry people I've ever met. He drove to Charlotte before school let out to throw with Sam. He probably works with Sam more than any other receiver. He's hungry and he's going to have another great year. That was not a fluke for Jaquarii Roberson."
What are your thoughts on the up-tempo offense at Wake Forest?
Stewart: "I love the tempo we play with. I feel like as long as we're in shape and we can sustain those 10-12 play drives and still be at 90 percent at the end of the drive, that will be big for us because our opponents will be tired. Coach R, (wide receiver) coach (Kevin) Higgins, (offensive line) coach (Nick) Tabacca, (tight end) coach (Wayne) Lineburg and (running back) coach (John) Hunter do a great job — they put together a great scheme for us to be successful. All we have to do is be in shape and be on the details of our assignments and we're going to have a really good year."
What is it like to play for coach Higgins?
Stewart: "I love coach Higgins. He brings positive juice every single day. He gives me his best for any questions I have both on or off the field. I feel like he's been like a father figure for me through the years. Coach Higgins is one of my favorite people, and I'm so blessed to be coached by him. He's definitely made a positive impact in my life."
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