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There was concern, when Josaiah Stewart transferred from Coastal Carolina to Michigan football, that he didn't quite have the size to handle Big Ten linemen.
Instead, Stewart — who lined up alongside Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, who were both drafted in the first round Thursday — was actually the most productive player statistically on U-M's defense. For his efforts, he was selected No. 90 overall in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Standing 6 feet 1 and 245 pounds, Stewart more than handled his own in Ann Arbor. After a nice junior year, when he recorded 38 tackles, 8½ for loss, and 5½ sacks and three quarterback hurries, the New York native took another step this past season.
ROUND 2: Will Johnson's stunning drop ended by Cardinals at No. 47 in Round 2 of NFL draft
He had 33 tackles in 11 starts, which included a team-high 13 for loss, plus 8½ sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. He was so productive, he was elevated to team captain midway through the season.
Stewart parlayed that into a second-team All-Big Ten spot after he was twice named Big Ten Player or Co-Player of the Week. Though he didn't go in the first round, the U-M standout captured the class' highest marks in Pro Football Focus' pass-rush grade (93.7) as well as overall pass-rush win rate (27.7%).
Some numbers suggest he could be underrated once again, after he posted the highest PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets last year, winning 41.2% of qualifying plays, according to the website.
"Stewart falls below the classic size threshold as a 3-4 outside backer, but it might not matter much. He plays with all-day aggression and thirst for contact," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote. "He’s a decisive, linear rusher with the get-off and bend to win at the top of the rush, but he turns speed into power if tackles get too light on their feet.
"He’s violent at all contact points but is occasionally engulfed or knocked around some by size. The instincts are average but his pursuit range and closing burst can compensate. Despite a lack of size and length, the right ingredients are in place for Stewart to become an impactful starter within his first few years in the league."
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football: Josaiah Stewart to LA Rams in Round 3 in NFL Draft
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Instead, Stewart — who lined up alongside Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, who were both drafted in the first round Thursday — was actually the most productive player statistically on U-M's defense. For his efforts, he was selected No. 90 overall in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Standing 6 feet 1 and 245 pounds, Stewart more than handled his own in Ann Arbor. After a nice junior year, when he recorded 38 tackles, 8½ for loss, and 5½ sacks and three quarterback hurries, the New York native took another step this past season.
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ROUND 2: Will Johnson's stunning drop ended by Cardinals at No. 47 in Round 2 of NFL draft
He had 33 tackles in 11 starts, which included a team-high 13 for loss, plus 8½ sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. He was so productive, he was elevated to team captain midway through the season.
Stewart parlayed that into a second-team All-Big Ten spot after he was twice named Big Ten Player or Co-Player of the Week. Though he didn't go in the first round, the U-M standout captured the class' highest marks in Pro Football Focus' pass-rush grade (93.7) as well as overall pass-rush win rate (27.7%).
Some numbers suggest he could be underrated once again, after he posted the highest PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets last year, winning 41.2% of qualifying plays, according to the website.
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"Stewart falls below the classic size threshold as a 3-4 outside backer, but it might not matter much. He plays with all-day aggression and thirst for contact," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote. "He’s a decisive, linear rusher with the get-off and bend to win at the top of the rush, but he turns speed into power if tackles get too light on their feet.
"He’s violent at all contact points but is occasionally engulfed or knocked around some by size. The instincts are average but his pursuit range and closing burst can compensate. Despite a lack of size and length, the right ingredients are in place for Stewart to become an impactful starter within his first few years in the league."
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football: Josaiah Stewart to LA Rams in Round 3 in NFL Draft
Continue reading...
