Portal In: Josaiah Stewart
Michigan remains hot in the transfer portal, adding Coastal Carolina edge Josaiah Stewart to go with OLs LaDarius Henderson and Myles Hinton and LB Ernest Hausmann:
we cooking in Ann Arbor 〽️ #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/Dsy56Fj4JF
— Josaiah🔮 (@josaiah_stewart) December 18, 2022
Stewart had a monster freshman year at Coastal with 12.5 sacks and 40 pressures en route to being named first-team All Sun Belt.
His topline stats fell in his sophomore year to 10 TFLs and 3.5 sacks but his level of play did not drop much per PFF; in both years they graded his pass rush in the high 80s or above.
[After the JUMP: some recruiting rankings that no longer matter and some draft hype]
He was in fact the best-rated freshman pass-rusher in the country last year:
He is like the Tazmanian Devil as a pass-rusher on the edge with his quicks and power. Stewart recorded eye-popping numbers as a true freshman for the Chanticleers: He earned a 90.0 pass-rush grade while racking 40 total pressures, 15 of which were sacks and three strip-sack fumbles.
It does not seem like other evaluators are down on Stewart after his counting numbers went down. Pro Football Network lists him 18th amongst 2024 draft prospects:
PFN’s reigning Freshman of the Year entering 2022, Josaiah Stewart was a man amongst boys last season. And in 2022, he’s proven that was no one-year wonder. Stewart is a game-wrecker and causes havoc everywhere on the field. Not your typical move-around-the-line defensive lineman, Stewart plays a multitude of positions on Coastal Carolina’s defensive front and wins against any lineman.
To say this is a guy outstripping recruiting expectations is putting it mildly:
|
RATINGS BY SITE |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
247: 6'2/235 |
On3: 6'2/235 |
Rivals: 6'1/230 |
ESPN: 6'2/235 |
| 3*, 88, NR Ovr #34 DE, #4 MA |
n/a | 3*, 5.5, NR Ovr #NR SDE, #9 MA |
3*, 76, #101 East #93 DE, #7 MA |
| 3.71 | n/a | 3.24 | 3.44 |
|
COMPOSITE RANKINGS |
|||
|
247 Composite |
On3 Consensus |
MGoBlog |
|
| 3*, 0.8667, #748 Ovr #43 DE, #5 MA |
3*, 84.47, #935 Ovr #90 DE, #4 MA |
3*, #676/765 Ovr #79/85 Edges since 1990 |
|
| 3.67 | 3.45 | 3.49 | |
Instead of random low three-star Stewart is performing like a potential first round NFL draft pick. This is an acquisition on another level from Eyabi Okie, who had middling production and grading at a good FCS school, and Okie was a reasonably productive rotation player this year. Stewart has the ability to step into the starting lineup and star.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
I am here for Okie/Stewart on the edges in 2023
December 18th, 2022 at 5:24 PM ^
I think Moore played less and less but dude is a true freshman.
December 18th, 2022 at 10:55 PM ^
I got the impression he played more and more. At least in big ten play (because of course he was going to get a lot of time v the non-con). Would have to check the charts though.
In any case, yes I would expect a breakout next year from him.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:40 PM ^
He is a basically an UCHE clone in my eyes
December 18th, 2022 at 4:47 PM ^
I see more of a Paye.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:49 PM ^
We want all your edge rushers 💪🏈
December 18th, 2022 at 2:50 PM ^
In some ways these portal guys are even more exciting than HS recruits because these guys are ready to play and have some NCAA track record. That we're pulling OTs, EDGE guys, and potential multi-year starting LB, the staff is doing a bang up job filling positions of need as well.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
Now we need a plug and play CB.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:23 PM ^
Agreed if both green and turner go pro, we will need depth there. I do think Hill will play a big role as a freshman (if we get him).
December 18th, 2022 at 3:51 PM ^
Freshman corners need time. Even Woodson did not start right away and neither did Will this year. Really like Hill, but picking up a good corner with experience would be very helpful. Getting McBurrows finally healthy will also be important.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:00 PM ^
I agree, but think we only get a transfer if Dj or gemon declare. We already have Mikey and Will coming back, so really it’s the other position that will like have transfer/mcburrows/hill in rotation for.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:01 PM ^
Think everyone is forgetting about Jaden McBurrows. Also the freshmen class of DBs hopefully one of those guys step up. We have 2 studs starting right now. Green should could back could help his draft stock but if he has a chance to be drafted he probably should go. He is an older.prospect.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:39 PM ^
Absolutely.
December 18th, 2022 at 7:48 PM ^
Harbaugh is treating this like NFL Free Agency. I wonder what SEC and OSU are going to do to shut this down.
December 18th, 2022 at 10:58 PM ^
And this is why it's smart directing NIL towards transfers or at least making it as appealing to them as possible, rather than promising gobs of money to unproven freshmen.
Hard to complain about anything Michigan is doing right now.
Need to remember to pinch myself sometimes because this is a golden era in Michigan football.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^
The bulk of these guys are going to exceed even what a 5 star can reasonably do in year one. If they all are around a second or third year fantastic but if they blow up and go pro after 1 year of superb play we will become transfer U.
December 18th, 2022 at 5:38 PM ^
But can he play D-line. Oh, wait...
December 18th, 2022 at 2:56 PM ^
There will be skeptics but getting him over USC AND LSU in the current climate suggests we have some semblance of competitive NIL. This in combo with Hausmann as well, who had many big ten suitors as well.
December 18th, 2022 at 11:01 PM ^
Not only must our transfer NIL be outstanding, which makes since if that's where we're directing money instead of towards unproven freshmen, this guy and the Nebraska LB are non-grad transfers from not typically strong academic institutions.
So perhaps our transfer policies aren't that restrictive (or perhaps they've changed under Santa?).
Hard to complain that we only take grad transfers now.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
Michigan killing it in the Collegiate Draft!
December 18th, 2022 at 3:06 PM ^
It’s got to be a careful balance of filling needs through the portal and recruiting them but seems like the coaches are IDing their guys and sealing the deal. This class will end up fine and we’ll do well in 24 as well. Harbaugh and team are building an army.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:56 PM ^
You ain’t shitting. 3 years ago I was just happy that the season started. My expectations were to be satisfied winning 10 games and taking our annual OSU beating. I just literally had a discussion with 16 yr old before I logged on, that we’d be better next year. Harbaugh took a glass half empty fan to believing that the CFP is the floor. Loving life right now.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:17 PM ^
Realistically speaking, taking a portal is much less risky than HS recruiting. You obviously need both, but portal players can be a known proven commodity. The game has certainly changed. And it has changed for the better.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
Damn, 3 awesome transfer grabs. Let's go!
December 18th, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^
Four! Hinton, Stewart, Nebraska LB and the other OL.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:26 PM ^
4 awesome transfer grabs: Henderson, Haussman, Hinton and now Stewart.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:27 PM ^
Triple H and Big Stewie.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:12 PM ^
Harbaugh portal is fire! At this point why not think we can get a corner or wide receiver if we're looking.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:15 PM ^
Are these things already confirmed that they passed admissions?
Or, is the "admissions" problem getting better? Or is a sophomore mid year roughly the same academically as a freshman and can get their credits transferred?
December 18th, 2022 at 3:23 PM ^
That's three undergrad transfers. One was from Stanford, so that was obviously never going to be a problem, but the other two from schools from schools clearly worse than Michigan academically. Feels like Harbaugh had a conversation with someone in admissions sometime since last offseason.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:52 PM ^
These transfers? A festive season gift from Santa (Ono)?
December 18th, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^
Another great pickup. Would be nice to nab a corner but otherwise a great supplement to a solid recruiting class.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:32 PM ^
We've more than added 4 starters to the roster at positions of need, we've added arguably the best player available, a team captain, and now a 1st team conference award winner. Screw A&Ms NIL money, we're building a winner.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:34 PM ^
Just a guess..
Harbaugh and staff more comfortable with NIL for transfers and those already in the program than freshmen.
Not the worst approach given they have proven something at the collegiate level and come in more familiar with work and expectations of CFB.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:22 PM ^
Harbaugh the Portal Immortal
give him a cloak, battle ax, long beard.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:25 PM ^
I never would have thought a year or so ago that the Portal would be more advantageous for Michigan than NIL. Good Lord, way to kill it Coaches!
December 18th, 2022 at 5:38 PM ^
I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive.
Have a feeling based on prior statements, that Jim wants to reward production and achievement - perhaps more willing to fire the $ cannon at players with some proven CFB experience instead of random 3-4* freshmen.
Given the high hit rate on 5 star freshman and how few there are, I’d assume we would still like to pursue them with competitive NIL where deemed appropriate. The going rate on some of these kids, however, given lack of contracts, no salary cap, no structure, etc…makes it really easy to fall into a Texas A&M situation quickly.
December 18th, 2022 at 11:05 PM ^
100% correct. The portal almost certainly is being good to us because we're firing NIL resources at transfers instead of unproven freshmen.
That said, anyone that thinks A&M's strategy has been proven ineffective needs to wait a few years. Their class were true freshmen this year. Those guys weren't going to be good next year. Wait a couple years to see if buying the #1 recruiting class was worth it.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:48 AM ^
I hear that a lot but it is a fallacy. What about the 3-4 classes before 2022? TANM has been pulling top 10 classes for at last the last 3-4 years. Also, they are up to like 25 portal exits, so how many of those players will even be around?
you can’t just buy a team, coaching and player development are necessary components with talent added to the mix. If they get that, they will turn around the program. Otherwise it will continue to be a toxic mess.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:49 PM ^
Excitement has me on the EDGE of my seat.
December 18th, 2022 at 5:06 PM ^
Huge pick up!! Welcome, Josaiah!
December 18th, 2022 at 5:11 PM ^
I was moderately excited about Stewart but this write up has me even more excited
December 18th, 2022 at 5:35 PM ^
I'm putting Harbaugh in charge of my Dating Portal.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:01 PM ^
Only wise if you can afford your dating prospects' NIL demands.
December 18th, 2022 at 9:27 PM ^
The PFF article was written in September and appears to be a collection of takes that didn't age well at all, particularly for Buckeyes.
December 19th, 2022 at 12:01 AM ^
The major change at Michigan is Santa Ono. We have gone from someone basically against athletics to someone clearly in favor of strong athletic programs. Now, we are getting undergrad transfers.
To me, it's clear what has happened. And, sadly, what was going on before.
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