ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Though not a household name nationally, when a play needed to be made on the biggest stage in the biggest moment, Michigan football edge rusher Josaiah Stewart delivered.
In perhaps the biggest play of the entire 2023 season for any team, the Wolverines were facing Alabama on a fourth-and-goal situation in overtime in the Rose Bowl. Stewart — a reserve for the maize and blue a year ago — pancaked star Crimson Tide right guard JC Latham, clogging up the lane for quarterback Jalen Milroe, allowing for the assist at bringing him down by his edge rushing compatriot Derrick Moore.
Now Stewart is set to start for Michigan for the first time after he had that honor at Coastal Carolina (his original team before transferring). And despite being impressive both with the Chanticleers and Wolverines, there have been a lot of things that he’s worked on improving this offseason.
“Mainly pass rush and getting my eyes right in coverage, things like that — getting settled down,” Stewart said. “I feel like coverage is one of the things I really needed to focus on (this offseason). So coverage, really, my eyes in pass rush, and getting to my sets, and having my plant.”
One way that Stewart should see a significant benefit comes by virtue of those who will be lined up next to him.
With Derrick Moore on the other side, both should see huge gains simply by being lined up next to the best defensive tackle duo in college football in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Stewart says that it isn’t just about other teams having to defend the duo in the middle that helps his game. It’s also about watching their work ethic as well as all of them working together as a team and one functional unit on a per-play basis.
“A lot in many ways,” Stewart said. “One being just competing with those guys inside and chasing the running back, chasing the quarterback, getting after it. And also, they make your jobs easier, and vice versa, just playing as a team and as a unit. They have our back we have theirs.”
Fans will get an opportunity to see the fearsome foursome on Saturday when the Wolverines host Fresno State for the 2024 season opener at The Big House.