Tennessee State defensive end James Stewart has built his football career around one constant — family. The one that raised him, the one that molded him, and the one he's found in the game itself. From Brentwood Academy to Memphis to Middle Tennessee, and now back home in Nashville wearing blue and white, Stewart's path through college football has been a winding one — grounded in faith, fueled by family, and defined by resilience.

"Family over everything," Stewart said, referencing one of his tattoos. "That's been instilled in me since I was young. My family means the world to me — they'll never change on me. No matter what happens on the field, they still love me the same."

Stewart's football story begins just a few miles down the road at Brentwood Academy, where faith, structure, and competition helped build his foundation. The Christian school's culture, he said, prepared him both for college and for life.

"At Brentwood, it was God first, then school and football," Stewart said. "They prepared me for the next step. I even took an African-American history class there — something I wouldn't have had at a public school. That place helped me grow as a man."

A three-star recruit out of high school, Stewart signed with Memphis, arriving on campus as a 280-pound defensive lineman still searching for his role. He credited former Memphis defensive coordinators Mike MacIntyre and Matt Barnes, along with position coach Dez Morgan, for shaping his understanding of the game and pushing him to think like a complete defender.

"Coach Mac was the first to really push me inside," Stewart said. "When Coach Barnes came in, he moved me back to end, and that's when I started studying film every day with Coach Morgan. He had me watching Dante Fowler all summer. That's when I started learning how to really play the position — reading the field, anticipating plays, seeing it all."

That film study paid off when Stewart broke out late in the season, recording four tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack in the 2022 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl — a performance that confirmed he belonged at the college level.

"When I made those plays, it hit me," Stewart said. "I knew I could play this game."

When the Memphis staff changed again, Stewart entered the transfer portal and moved east to Middle Tennessee State, where he already had long-standing relationships with members of the coaching staff who had recruited him since high school. He played in a new system, learned a new scheme, and made an impact before another transition struck.

After seasons of change and transition, Stewart said he wanted to find a place that felt like home — somewhere he could build lasting relationships and make an impact beyond the field.

After that, it was time to come home.

When Gregg Williams, the longtime NFL coach and Super Bowl champion, joined Tennessee State as defensive coordinator under new head coach Reggie Barlow, Stewart knew where he wanted to finish his college career.

"As soon as Gregg came in, I was like, man, you can't get a better coach than that," Stewart said. "He helped me see the field faster, think faster — gave me the freedom to make checks myself. It's like having another coach on the field."

Stewart also credited his time under coaches like Dean Cokinos at Brentwood Academy for lighting the fire that still burns today.

"Coach Dean gave me that edge," Stewart said. "He's the one who taught me how to play with aggression, how to love contact, and how to bring energy to the field."

Now a veteran leader, Stewart has become the anchor for a young TSU defense that's steadily found its rhythm. His tackles for loss — the stat he's most proud of — reflect both his growth as a player and the collective progress of the defense.

"We had a lot of young guys, so I had to help them grow up fast," Stewart said. "The first few games, we had some small mistakes, but now we're all on the same page. I'm proud of how far they've come."

Among those younger players, one name stands out to Stewart — redshirt freshman Marlon Huff, a newcomer who's quickly earned his respect. "Marlon didn't play last season, but he comes to work every day ready to learn," Stewart said. "I teach him something new every day, and he's always got open ears. The man's got fire in him — you can see it. He's going to be a big-time player for this program."

Reflecting on his journey, Stewart said every stop has taught him something new. "Every stop taught me something different," he said. "Memphis taught me how to compete, Middle taught me how to adapt, and TSU taught me how to lead."

Though he's carved his own path, Stewart's love for the game was born at home. His grandfather made sure of that — ensuring the family had season tickets to the Tennessee Titans throughout Stewart's childhood. Sunday afternoons in Nashville became lessons in toughness and passion.

"When I was young, we went to every Titans game," Stewart said. "That's where I fell in love with football."

And when social media and highlights made NFL stars more accessible, Stewart found his inspiration in Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis.

"The way Ray Lewis played, the way he hit people and led his team — that's what made me love defense," Stewart said. "He played every snap with heart, and that's what I try to bring every game."

Stewart's family remains the heartbeat of his journey. His parents, sisters, and grandparents rarely miss a game — sometimes 20 to 25 relatives have filled the stands at Carlton Flatt Field, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, and now Nissan Stadium.

Stewart's father, Jamie, instilled a relentless work ethic early on. He recalls waking up at 2 a.m. to ride along as his dad delivered newspapers across Nashville before heading straight to his job at the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant.

"My dad's the hardest-working person I've ever known," Stewart said. "He taught me that if you work hard, the results will come."

His mother (Angela), meanwhile, is the steady, compassionate presence who balances the family — the one who encouraged his love for music and faith.

"She's the most caring person ever," he said. "She loves endlessly and unconditionally. My sisters and I all look up to her."

And his grandfather, the same man who took him to those early Titans games, still attends nearly every TSU matchup — cheering his grandson on well into his 80s.

"My granddad keeps me grounded," Stewart said. "Even after a big game, he'll tell me what I did wrong. He never had a father, so he had to learn how to be one. He's one of the biggest father figures in my life outside of my dad."

When he's not at practice or studying film, Stewart finds peace on the water — fishing for bass in the pond near his family's home. It's his way of recharging and reflecting on how far he's come.

"Fishing's my thing," he said. "No matter the season, I'll be out there for hours."

He's also a lifelong musician, a saxophone player who grew up surrounded by music — from jazz and R&B to rap.

Whether he's lined up on the edge or casting a line into still waters, Stewart's motivation stays the same — his faith, his family and his love for the game that brought him home. To him, football has never been just a sport — it's an extension of the same message etched on his arm: family over everything.