Josaiah Stewart makes a great first impression at Michigan spring game
Josaiah Stewart almost looks wiry from a distance in a Michigan uniform, to the point that he could be mistaken for a hybrid linebacker/safety when he lines up on the edge. But make no mistake — he’s big enough, fast enough, and strong enough to not only play in the Big Ten, but also excel.
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We got a first taste of what we could do during Saturday’s spring game. Stewart was all over the field for the Blue team, often in the backfield whether it was coming off the edge or finding a crease in the middle of the offense.
“He’s different than some of our edge rushers with his measurables, so he’s … we’re just really excited about him,” Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of Stewart earlier in the week. “He’s had a productive spring. I think if you talk to some of our guys, they’d say he stood out at times.”
Stewart stood out in the Michigan Blue team’s 22-21 loss to the Maize Saturday, for sure, with a sack and 2 tackles for loss among his 4 stops. He probably would have had another sack or 2 if the quarterback hadn’t been off limits.
It didn’t faze him.
“It’s not if I get there or not, it’s if we win or not. It’s all fun and games,” Stewart said of the scrimmage, noting he couldn’t be happier to be in Ann Arbor. “[I was looking for] a family-based environment, a place where I can develop, learn, come in and make impact …”
And, of course, win.
“That’s my goal — to win. I came here to win, just somewhere I can develop and have fun [too],” Stewart said, noting he came in with the same mindset he had at Coastal Carolina. “I’m coming in hungry. I feel like I always have a chip on my shoulder. I was undersized, underrecruited, whatever the case may be. I’m always hungry. That never changes.”
The new Michigan addition added he has one big thing to prove.
“That I belong here. Simple as that,” Stewart said. “Everybody is doubting, has questions … how can he play in the Big Ten? I’m going to show you guys. That’s all there is to it.
“… I feel like I’m a guy that can do different things as a pass rusher. I take pride in stopping the run. I can pass rush because I stop the run. There are steps to it. The run game I provide good impact, and obviously in the pass game.”
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The scary part — he’s getting even stronger and learning more from the Michigan coaches. He’s up to 245 pounds after working with strength coach Ben Herbert (“he’s hitting all the spots I didn’t even know were there, different muscle groups I didn’t even know I was working,” Stewart said) and improving in several areas.
“Covering,” Stewart said without hesitation, crediting analyst Dylan Roney and others for helping him. “More coverage … I feel way more comfortable in space. Open field tackles, I’m feeling great. I feel like my pass rush tool box opened up a bunch. I’m just developing more.”
More than anything, Stewart is just a great fit. Michigan captain Mike Sainristil, his former high school captain, is a big reason why he’s here, and of course he wants to prove why the cornerback and captain went to bat for him.
He’s off to a great start. Stewart has found a home in Ann Arbor, and he couldn’t be happier.
“Just the way everything is orchestrated, just from meetings to practices, it’s way different,” he said. “Just the buildings … bigger building, facilities, equipment. It’s been a great feeling, just getting my feet wet.”
Stewart is ready to take the plunge and — hopefully — follow in the footsteps of some of the former Michigan greats who played the position before him at what’s become “Defensive End U.” under Jim Harbaugh.
