Ann Arbor – There were times last season when Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart admittedly tried too hard. He transferred from Coastal Carolina and wanted it to be made clear to everyone that he deserved to be at his new program.
Stewart, at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, is considered a bit undersized for his position, but his explosiveness is the great equalizer. He is a starter for the Wolverines (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) this season and his 11 tackles for loss and 6½ sacks rank first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten.
“When I came in last year and first got into the Power Five, I kind of wanted to be too perfect,” Stewart said after practice this week. “Because you mess up (and people say), ‘Hey, he can’t play at this level.’ This season I’m playing much more freely. A lot more carefree. Just play loose and have fun.”
He had some fun last Saturday night against Michigan State with a sack of quarterback Aidan Chiles late in the first half. The Wolverines had just gotten within 7-6 and MSU had the ball. Chiles was running across the field looking for a receiver when Stewart chased him down and forced the fumble that was recovered by teammate Kenneth Grant.
“Honestly, I chased him for too long,” Stewart said. “I feel like he was going to get another second off, so I just ducked and sold out.” And he had both hands on the ball, so I knew roughly where to aim with my hands. I’m glad the ball came out.”
Grant decided to land on the ball instead of trying to scoop it up and move on. Afterwards, Grant said he was haunted by the USC game, when he picked up a fumble that Stewart had forced and ran with it, but lost the ball when Trojans running back Woody Marks caused him to fumble. Stewart and his teammates were amused when Grant fell on the ball, but understood why he did so.
“He made a business decision,” Stewart said with a laugh. “Glad he secured the ball. He said he couldn’t let a skill player strip him twice.”
Michigan scored a field goal off the turnover to take a 9–7 halftime lead against Michigan State. But the aftermath of the comic bag was a blur.
“It went by pretty quickly,” Stewart said. “The strip sack happened, and before you know it, three points are on the board. I was a little too busy celebrating with my teammates. Before I know it, we’re walking into the locker room from 9 to 7. But I mean, it’s huge. Such plays are game-changing.”
Stewart doesn’t judge his sacks, but that one was crucial.
“At the end of the day, a bag is a bag,” Stewart said. “A game-changing play is a game-changing play, so I’ll take it as I can take it.”
Safety Quinten Johnson raved Monday about Stewart’s determination and never giving up on plays.
‘He’s a freak. That fits his game description,” Johnson said. “He’s going to make a lot of money doing that at the next level. He is a man with a ruthless engine.”
Running back Kalel Mullings and Stewart were elected alternate captains before the season. Recently, head coach Sherrone Moore elevated Stewart to captain.
“A senior who has really done everything the right way,” Moore said recently on an “Inside Michigan Football” radio show. “Plays as well as anyone in the country, but does it with extreme energy all the time. He’s such a leader and he has a voice, and I want him to use it.”
Defensive coach Lou Esposito last week praised Stewart’s attitude and leadership both on and off the field.
“He’s one of the toughest guys on the team, first and foremost,” Esposito said. “He’s vocal. He does everything you want. He’s one of those guys that gets the guys going. When you see the guys when they’re in the huddle, he’s the guy who talks. Everybody’s listening.”
Michigan faces a monumental challenge this Saturday at Michigan Stadium against top-ranked Oregon, a balanced team with a strong defense and an explosive offense led by veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Stewart knows this will be a big test and that his role in disrupting Gabriel will be crucial.
“First of all, he’s left-handed. The first lefty we’ve had all year,” Stewart said with a smile. “The ball goes out quickly.”
Stewart will try to be even faster.
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