ArDarius Stewart is always doing something different. His mom, LaShona Smith, admits as much. So when Stewart exited Alabama’s game against Ole Miss on Sept. 17 with a sprained knee, his colorful reemergence wasn’t a shock – at least to her.

For the rest of America, and probably some of his teammates, the axe-wielding No. 13 patrolling Alabama’s sideline was an unusual site. It certainly went viral. Hoisting a literal axe like it was no more than the football he normally totes, Stewart roamed the sidelines to inspire.

He might not be able to play, but he’d be damned if the leader of the Crimson Tide wide receiver corps (AKA: The Assassins) wouldn’t be available to help spur a comeback.

“I told them to take (the axe) to the game so I could bring it out,” Stewart told 247Sports this week. “They really did get fired up.”

The axe, normally on the wall of Alabama’s wide receiver room, served its purpose as the No. 1 Crimson Tide charged back.

Stewart, a redshirt junior, is fiery and explosive, his linebacker crippling blocks embodying toughness his teammates respect without question. He’s also among the nation’s top wideouts. In the five full games he’s played this season (Stewart missed two games following his knee injury), Stewart is averaging 94 yards and 20.43 yards per catch. Stewart led the SEC in receiving yards before he suffered his injury. The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder is quickly ascending Alabama’s record books. He’s already sixth on the single-season receptions list (63 in 2015) and is 290 yards away from cracking the Top 10 of Alabama’s all-time receiving list.

Yet, at least nationally, Stewart remains overshadowed — which is rare for an Alabama player.

His first two seasons coincided with Amari Cooper’s time in Tuscaloosa, while the last two he’s played next to All-American Calvin Ridley. Even at a place like Alabama, which pops out NFL talent like Mars does M&Ms, the spotlight isn’t enough to highlight each deserving party.

That’s OK. Stewart is an assassin – he works better in the dark.

“When they put the limelight on you, you’re pretty much targeted,” Stewart said. “I like to be the sleeper. Where did that No. 13 come from?”

***

Take that question literally, and that place is Alabama.

Born and bred about an hour from campus in the heart of Roll Tide country, Stewart knew he wanted to attend Alabama at a young age, playing little league football in the 105-pound weight class. Mom, grandpa, uncle and everyone in his family had closets spotted with crimson.

“He knew where he was going,” Smith said.

Take that question a little less at face value, and the answer is more complex.

Before Stewart’s junior year, his family moved from Gardendale to Fultondale, which meant a switch from 6A to 2A football. Slated to start at quarterback, Stewart didn’t want to move anywhere. There were some in the Gardendale community, including a few coaches, who told Stewart he wouldn’t be able to earn a Division 1 scholarship at the 2A level.

They had a decent point.

Stewart's mother proved to be a soothsayer: “With the talent you have and what you do," Smith said, "they’re going to come.”

Stewart was dominant at Fultondale High School. He finished with 138 total touchdowns in his prep career. He ranked as the No. 3 overall athlete in the country, per 247Sports. When Nick Saban visited the town, population of 8,752, the trip all but shut down the school.

Stewart committed to Alabama on Jan. 28, 2012, more than a full year away from National Signing Day 2013. Other coaches came by Fultondale, but Stewart politely told everyone from Clemson to Mississippi State, “Sorry to waste your time.”

Stewart finished his senior year with 1,034 passing yards, 1,923 rushing yards, 55 tackles, two interceptions and 50 total touchdowns. He accounted for more scores than 42 of the 64 teams in Class 2A in Alabama that year.

He had one of the best careers in high school history, but still finished second by two votes in the Mr. Football race to Jeremy Johnson, an Auburn quarterback commit. The 2A legend lost to the 6A star.

“He looked at me and said, ‘Coach, no big deal,’” said then-Fultondale coach Keith Register.

It wasn’t the first or last time Stewart's shine wasn’t enough to find the spotlight.

“They told me I wasn’t going to make it, and I wanted to show them I could,” Stewart said. “That’s still my motivation, it still keeps me driving. Showing the guys a lower level school can make it D1 as well.”

***

Saban gave Stewart a carte blanche of sorts to find his position when he arrived at Alabama.

Stewart mainly played quarterback in high school, but he also spent time at wide receiver, running back, defensive back and even defensive end. Many thought, including Register, that Stewart fit best as a defender.

But Stewart wanted the ball in his hands.

Other than a three- or four-day stint on defense in the spring following his redshirt year, Stewart camped in the wide receiver room. It was loaded with talent. Amari Cooper, Kevin Norwood, Kenny Bell, Christion Jones. Baby Assassin wasn't fazed.

“I just felt like I belonged there,” Stewart said. “I thought I could make things happen.”

It takes a certain level of self-confidence to thrust oneself into Alabama’s group of long-limbed freaks on the outside, but Stewart’s never lacked for it. You need self-assurance to be an axe-wielder or even to rock the pink and black tiger socks he occasionally did in high school. It’s why Stewart wears the traditionally unlucky No. 13 – he wants to make something of the number.

At the same time, confidence must be balanced with the willingness to acquiesce in such an environment.

On a team of stars, Stewart carved out a role early in his career as a vicious blocker. Look on the sideline and Stewart is often talking to teammates, urging them to give just a little more. While the offense is moving, he’s at the hip of his position coach, a symbol to show support and readiness.

Stewart’s numbers his redshirt year (12 receptions, 149 yards) were modest. He waited, though, and last season Stewart finished with 63 catches for 700 yards and four touchdown. He helped save the day against Tennessee and his two catches for 63 yards in the national title game were critical in Alabama’s victory over Clemson.

That Stewart endured is no surprise to those close to him. That he's served as a mentor and a willing No. 2 to Calvin Ridley isn't, either. Register, his high school coach, says Stewart “likes to serve.” When Stewart was at Fultondale, Register would sometimes just leave his kids in the fieldhouse with Stewart while he took care of things.

Stewart’s freshman season at Alabama his uncle, Ray Stewart Jr,. passed away. Uncle Ray, the source of ArDarius’ on-field edge, left behind three children. One of them, Rayshaud, had a hard time focusing in class following his dad’s death. Rayshaud, then in elementary school, always told his teacher his cousin played for Alabama, but she never believed him.

One day ArDarius walked into the room and Rayshaud burst into tears.

“I told you my cousin plays for Alabama!” Rayshaud excitedly yelped between drops.

ArDarius surprised his cousin during Alabama's bye week. He stayed the entire day, read to the class and ate lunch with his nephew.

“That’s just a unique kid,” Register said. “He still has that attitude that if I put me second and everybody else before me than things will work out. It’s hard to explain. He’s just such a good person.”

Stewart with his nephew, Rayshaud (blue), and his class.

***

Ridley is freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts’ favorite receiver with 44 catches, but Stewart might be Hurts’ most reliable. Of Stewart’s 27 offensive touches in his five full games, 19 of those have gone for a first down or a touchdown.

Hurts knows he can go to Stewart, who has just 25 less receiving yards than Ridley despite 16 less catches, when the Tide need a big play.

“It’s just that type of click,” Stewart said. “It’s something you can’t teach.”

To most nationally Stewart is the Robin to Ridley’s Batman. That doesn’t bother Stewart; he’s ready to eat when opponents send double teams Ridley’s way.

Not that Stewart appreciates the slight. When asked if he notices how people always seem to mention his name second in conversations about the Tide passing game, Stewart just laughs.

“I can’t even tell you man,” Stewart said. “I’ve always been the one to get slept on or not to get the proper publicity or whatever, but that ain’t what it’s really about. It’s about playing that game you love. It’s disappointing at the same time, but you’ve got to keep pushing.”

When Alabama travels to face No. 13 LSU on Saturday, Stewart will have the axe in tow. In the crowd, his mom will sport a shirt with Stewart’s visage brandishing the weapon. The Assassin hopes to eventually burst into the light.

“Somebody is going to notice one day,” Stewart says.