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Senior Bowl practice: Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart is 'a keg of dynamite' who 'plays with as much tenacity and effort as anyone'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•01/28/25•

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Josaiah Stewart
Michigan Wolverines football EDGE Josaiah Stewart had a strip sack against Michigan State. (Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)

Michigan Wolverines football has three players on the Reese’s Senior Bowl National Team — EDGE Josaiah Stewart, running back Donovan Edwards and long snapper William Wagner. Both the National and American teams went through their first practice Tuesday and will be on the field again the next two days, ahead of Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. ET kickoff on NFL Network.

Stewart, who measured in at 6-0 and 6/8 inches and 248 pounds, was one of the players receiving the most praise by the NFL Network broadcast during the first day of practice. Stewart totaled 30 sacks and 147 pressures in four seasons, two at Coastal Carolina (2021-22) and two at Michigan (2023-24), one of the most productive pass rushers in the nation.

Analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who has Stewart as his No. 46 overall draft prospect in 2025, raved about the Michigan EDGE.

“He’s a keg of dynamite coming off the edge,” Jeremiah said. “He is not tall, but he is explosive, and he plays with as much tenacity and effort as anyone in this entire draft class.

“And just kept showing up! Even when I was doing offensive tackles, after I had already put him to bed and written his report, I’m doing all these other tackles, and man, he put a lot of blood on their hands, with his physicality and the way he’s able to leverage underneath blocks.”

“His body type and the way he plays reminds you a little bit of … remember Mike Danna went there that last year at Michigan? I feel like there are some similarities,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis chimed in. “Danna is a little heavier, a little thicker. But not super tall, not a lot of length in the whole deal, but he finds a way to get to the quarterback.”

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The analysts will be watching Stewart closely this week, and offensive tackles will have to be alert for the Michigan standout.

“I don’t think he’s going to be fun to block this week — that’s just a sneaking suspicion,” Jeremiah said. “You’ve gotta prepare for speed, and the next thing you know, you’ve got a missile that’s just hit you in the chest.”

“And if you stone him once, it doesn’t mean he’s gonna stop,” Davis added.

Josaiah Stewart in drills

According to Jeremiah, Stewart was “late off the ball” on a speed rush in one-on-ones while working against Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo.

His next rep went much better, though, going against Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly.

“Nice job, Stewart,” Davis said.

“He just got inside,” Jeremiah added. “That’s the thing with him, too, with his size: He’s so strong.”

Donovan Edwards has ‘opportunity to reestablish himself’

NFL Network host Rhett Lewis pointed out that Edwards has “an opportunity to reestablish himself” this week, after finishing second on the Michigan team in rushing this season, behind Kalel Mullings. Edwards rushed for 589 yards and 4 touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 83 yards and a score in 2024.

“Didn’t have the year he wanted,” Jeremiah said of Edwards.

“Remember, when they won the national championship, it looked like he was jet propelled to go into the next season,” Davis added.

Edwards ran a good route but couldn’t come down with the reception against Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa in one-on-ones.

In an interview with Jason Allwine, Edwards discussed his first day of practice.

“I feel like I had a really good day out here,” Edwards said. “The reps were minimum, just keep everybody fresh. The play book was easy to learn for the first install day. The same thing as college, just different names and transitions. I really thought I ran a really good route on Jeffrey, but just didn’t get the snag over the top. He played good defense at the end.”

Edwards caught up with Roundtable Sports and discussed his ability to impact in the pass game.

“The thing that I bring is, first, the pass protection aspect,” Edwards said. “Being able to pass protect first, identity blitzes and watching safeties and the rotations, and knowing the defensive schemes. Also, I just believe in myself. I have tremendous faith and confidence in not only my hands but my route-running ability, too.”

Here are some more clips of Edwards:


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