Michigan football: New transfer defensive end ready to step up in 2023

ANN ARBOR, MI — During and after the 2022 college football season, the Michigan Wolverines were very busy in the transfer portal, eventually singing one of the top transfer classes in the nation. Now, during spring ball ahead of the 2023 season this fall, the Michigan football team has some high hopes for its transfer additions, including four-star edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who looks to make his presence felt during his first season in the Maize and Blue this fall.

How will Josaiah Stewart impact the Michigan football defense this season?

Josaiah Stewart comes to Michigan football with high hopes of finding a home where he can grow into an NFL prospect and win a national title. For the past two seasons, Stewart has been in the Teal and Black during his time with Coastal Carolina — there, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound edge rusher tallied 16 sacks and turned heads nationally. Recently, Stewart had some time to speak on the In The Trenches Podcast, and he had a lot to say about his play style and what he brings to Michigan football.

“I remember reading an article back in my freshman year, and they were describing me as a Tasmanian devil off the edge,” Stewart said. He followed up by describing what he would call his position, “Taz” — “somebody crazy off the edge, wreaking havoc, causing mayhem.”

For an edge rusher, Stewart is quite undersized, but that has not stopped him from causing trouble for opposing offenses.

“With my natural leverage, I find it easier to bend around edges and get under tackles,” he said. “Definitely like to go speed-to-power, keep the tackles on their toes, I really define myself as a speed rusher. But don’t shy away from my power too much, because it’s there. Some people might go ‘oh he’s small, he don’t got power,’ but I got it, definitely some speed moves.”

Seeing as this is Stewart’s first few months in Ann Arbor, there is a lot to learn ahead of the 2023 season, which sits just a few months away. In fact, the Michigan football spring game will be on April 1st, and will serve as the fans’ first look at Stewart in the winged helmet.

“Spring ball, the first goal is obviously to get the playbook down. Don’t do too much trying to show out or do extra. Just do you, do what got you here, and everything else will follow. Showing the coaches that I can be a key piece to a national championship.”

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