Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart names players to watch climb up depth chart
ANN ARBOR – Michigan Wolverines senior EDGE Josaiah Stewart figures to be the lead dog in the pass rush attack this fall as he rounds his game into final form.
Coming over from Coastal Carolina, the rough-and-tumble Big Ten style took some time to get used to, but he hit his stride after a strong first season with the Wolverines.
“The run [defense] part of it kind of surprised me,” Stewart said this week. “Back in the Sun Belt, it wasn’t running the ball as much. But having that physical aspect of the game implemented it into my own game. Coming into this season, it’s more emphasizing the run.”
Stewart led all Michigan defensive linemen last year in tackles with 38 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks. He was also in on the game-sealing stop in the Rose Bowl and saw it as a decision-affirming moment.
“I always knew what I was capable of, but I don’t really think about the past,” Stewart said. “I think about what I can improve on now, and that’s just being a leader, being the best person I can every day.”
Aked about what he has emphasized in improving, Stewart said: “My pass rush, my moves, move sets, setting up my pass rushes, seeing it differently. Especially in the run, hand placement, taking off pullers well, shedding off blocks.”
Stewart and junior Derrick Moore are expected to lead the pass-rush rotation, but they will need to be spelled at times by others in the EDGE room. Michigan likes the depth it has cultivated at the position.
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“Definitely TJ Guy, he’ll be there playing for us a lot this year,” Stewart said. “Cam Brandt, like I mentioned earlier, he’s been great for us. But other guys: Dom Nichols, a freshman coming in. He’s really thriving right now, but I can’t wait to see how he is.”
Impressions of Michigan DC Wink Martindale
Michigan is switching over to the Wink Martindale era on the defensive side of the ball with the coordinator retaining many of the key tentpoles of what has been run. Stewart has been impressed with what he has seen so far.
“My first impression was he’s an NFL DC, so his coaching style was very NFL-like,” he said. “You can kind of see that off the rip, and I’m excited just to have that push from him. You know, he’s coached great guys, great D-linemen, great linebackers, great safeties, so just getting every bit of knowledge I can from him.
“Wink is more NFL DC-like [than Jesse Minter] and has that expectation from all his players, from the first group to the third group, to all have that same production. I’d say Jesse — more surgical, I guess, in his style of coaching. Very specific, detailed. Wink is pushing everybody all at once, grown man sport idea, physical.”
