Former Coastal Carolina outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart announced he would be transferring to Michigan and has two years of eligibility remaining. He picked the Wolverines over transfer opportunities from LSU and USC.
Stewart was listed at 6’2″ and 230 lbs. at Coastal. As a sophomore in 2022, he made 37 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup, and 5 quarterback hurries. As a freshman the year before, he made 43 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 quarterback sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 quarterback hurries.
RANKINGS (2021)
ESPN: 3-star, 76 grade, #93 DE
On3: N/A
Rivals: 3-star SDE, 5.5 grade
247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #34 EDGE
Hit the jump for more.
Stewart came out of Everett (MA) Everett in the class of 2021 and Michigan offered him back when former Michigan defensive coordinator (and current UMass head coach) Don Brown was still in Ann Arbor. Stewart had limited big-time offers (Boston College and Syracuse were the next best offers behind Michigan) but for whatever reason picked the Chanticleers. Now after an outstanding freshman season and a solid second year (he was 1st Team and 2nd Team All-Sun Belt, respectively), he took his second opportunity to pick the Wolverines.
Stewart is a little bit undersized for an edge player at 6’2″ and 230-235 lbs., but he wins with quickness off the ball and an ability to bend off the edge. At the level of the Sun Belt, he was sometimes able to bull rush offensive tackles and push them back into the quarterback, a feat that will be more difficult in the Big Ten. He should still be able to win some battles using his quickness, but he will likely not be as productive as he was as a freshman when he made 15.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
Michigan could use some help at the edge positions in 2023 after Mike Morris heads to the NFL. He led Michigan with 7.5 sacks this season, but nobody else was a consistent pass rush threat. While Michigan returns Eyabi Okie, Jaylen Harrell, and Braiden McGregor, none of those players notched more than 4.5 sacks, and that was Obie in mostly a situational pass rush role. I think Stewart and Harrell are somewhat similar players, with Stewart offering a little more upside as a pass rusher.
Here are some highlights from Stewart’s freshman season:
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