Michigan football added to its already solid transfer portal haul for the 2023 seasons when the Wolverines snagged former UMass cornerback Josh Wallace.
The Wolverines filled the voids they had entering the 2023 offseason. Michigan brought in three dynamic offensive linemen to help the two-time Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. The maize and blue brought in leadership at the quarterback and tight end positions and a placekicker that has a chance to start.
But according to CBS Sports, Michigan brought in two transfers set to have an immediate impact in the Big Ten.
Tom Fornelli believes former Coastal Carolina edge rusher Josaiah Stewart will be one of the biggest impact players in the conference this season.
The Wolverines are coming off another Big Ten title and playoff berth, and have been a bit more proactive in the portal this offseason. Former Coastal Carolina EDGE rusher Josaiah Stewart is a name Big Ten offensive coordinators will want to familiarize themselves with as Michigan is hoping he can become its latest pass-rush specialist. Michigan lost all its most productive pass rushers from last year’s team, and Stewart brings experience and production. In 25 games with the Chanticleers, Steward had 16 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
Stewart, now a junior, was productive for Coastal Carolina, but if he can get back to his freshman form — the Wolverines have a dynamic edge defender. Two seasons ago, Stewart was an All-Sun Belt first-team player and recorded 12.5 sacks, which ranked fifth in the country. Teams started to game plan against Stewart in his sophomore season and he recorded 3.5 sacks. With the Wolverines losing their top two sack rushers from a season ago, Michigan needs someone such as Stewart, Braiden McGregor, Jaylen Harrell or Derrick Moore to step up.
The other Michigan player Fornelli wrote is primed to have a breakout season is linebacker Ernest Hausmann.
Stewart isn’t the only impact defender the Wolverines plucked from the portal as they stayed in the Big Ten to land Ernest Hausmann from Nebraska. Hausmann fills a need at the position for Michigan. He played in 12 games as a freshman for Nebraska last season, finishing with 54 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack. The Wolverines are hopeful he can help fill the shoes of Michael Barrett. Also, while he’s not included in this list, we shouldn’t look past another Michigan transfer in offensive lineman Ladarius Henderson. Henderson comes with plenty of starting experience from his time at Arizona State and is looking to improve his draft stock with the Wolverines.
It appeared Michigan had too much depth at linebacker when Hausmann came over from Nebraska. The Wolverines return starters Junior Colson, Michael Barrett — yes he is back contrary to the excerpt — and Michigan was set to bring back Nikhai Hill-Green from injury. Sophomore Jimmy Rolder would figure to get more action this season as well. But with Hill-Green transferring to Charlotte, the addition of Hausmann is much bigger.
The Cornhuskers weren’t a good football team last season, but Hausmann getting a ton of action as a true freshman is valuable experience. His shining moment came against the Wolverines last season when he recorded 10 tackles and a sack.
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