Pepperell High graduate BJ Stewart excelled in two sports at the college level — and now one of them could be taking him to the next level.

Stewart carried his athletic skills from Pepperell — where he was a standout in wrestling and football from 2004-2008 and was a two-time wrestling state champ — to Cumberland (Tenn.) University, where he is a redshirt senior, and is now being scouted by the NFL.

“I’m pretty excited, especially coming from a small school to having the opportunity to play in the NFL,” said Stewart.

Stewart, who is in Dallas for combine training, could be playing in the NFL next season.

If he does end up playing on Sundays next fall, he will have taken a unique path to get there.

Stewart was on the wrestling team for his first two years at Cumberland, then played football for his third year.

Impressively, he did both sports his fourth year and then capped his college athletic career by returning exclusively to football for his fifth year. (He was eligible for a fifth year of competition after redshirting).

“I think being athletic enough to do both sports and to do them well is a great achievement,” said Stewart. “It feels good to have accomplished success in both sports.”

The local standout played tight end for Cumberland his last three years at the school, and led the team in receiving yards this past season.

He had 21 catches for 396 yards and has since played in the Raycom College Football All Star Classic and will play in the Texas vs. The Nation game on Feb. 2.

Stewart played defensive end for the first two years of his stint with the Cumberland football team.

But again, it’s not just Stewart’s football ability that sets him apart from the rest.

It’s his capacity to greatly succeed in both football and wrestling at the college level — a combination of skills that Stewart’s former football and wrestling coach Jeff Shiflett says is unique.

“I’m very proud of BJ,” said Shiflett.

“I was his wrestling coach from sixth to 12th grade and he is very special to work with.

“To be a two-time wrestling state champ and then to have the football side of it is very unique,” said Shiflett. Very few kids have that ability.”

Shiflett added: “The cool thing is that (Stewart) is still very raw right now, so he has the ability to get even better.”

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