ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s national championship football team has lost several top defensive players to the NFL draft this offseason, but one key piece is coming back for his senior year.
Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart announced his decision in a post on social media, writing “one more.”
The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder was a part of a four-player rotation at the Wolverines’ edge spots in 2023 but should step into a more featured role in 2024 with Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor both declaring for the NFL draft. Stewart finished second on the team with 5 ½ sacks while adding 38 tackles, including 8 ½ for loss.
In the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl, he starred in the 27-20 overtime win over Alabama, recording seven tackles and a sack. He will best be remembered for winning his one-on-one matchup against Alabama offensive tackle and projected first-round pick JC Latham on fourth-and-goal in overtime, helping stuff Jalen Milroe on a quarterback draw to seal the win and send the Wolverines to the national championship.
With fellow edge Derrick Moore and standout defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant returning, Michigan is expected to be stout up front again next year. According to Pro Football Focus, Stewart was the Wolverines’ highest-graded edge player in 2023 and No. 4 on the team’s defense. Last year was his first in Ann Arbor after transferring from Coastal Carolina, where he had 79 tackles and 16 sacks in 25 games over two seasons.
