‘The spark plug in the engine’: Josaiah Stewart elevated to Michigan captain

Josaiah Stewart is a multifaceted leader for the No. 24 Michigan football team. The senior edge rusher leads the Wolverines in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hurries, all despite missing a game due to injury. Now, he leads in a different capacity, too — as a captain.

Stewart has long been a leader on and off the field, and he was already named an alternate captain prior to the season. But on Monday, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore announced that Stewart was elevated to captain.

“I’m beyond excited,” senior fullback and fellow captain Max Bredeson said Tuesday. “He was already an alternate captain, so him being elevated was no surprise, especially (because) he’s obviously played unbelievably. But the way he’s a leader, it’s awesome to have another on-field guy.”

On the field, Stewart’s play speaks for itself. He shows that he’s a leader every time he notches a sack or makes a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. But even on plays in which he’s not adding to his team-leading stats, he leads by example. When he comes off the edge like a force looking to affect the passer, he encourages those around him to match his effort.

And in the huddle, he uses his voice to lead. He communicates and motivates, consistently bringing energy to the defense.

“He’s one of the toughest dudes on the team,” defensive line coach Lou Esposito said Wednesday. “First off, he’s vocal. He does everything you want. He’s one of those guys that gets the guys going. If you see the guys when they’re in the huddle, he’s the guy talking, and everybody listens.”

At practice, Stewart is yet another type of leader. He takes teammates under his wing, all the while maintaining his high standards and high energy.

“He’s like the spark plug in the engine,” Esposito said. “He gets us going. He does an unbelievable job of motivating guys and talking to guys all different ways. He’s like a coach out there. Some guys he puts his arm around, talks to. Some guys he’s in their face like a coach.”

Stewart’s ability to command attention is all the more impressive considering he’s been a Wolverine for less than two years. Prior to his junior season, Stewart transferred to Michigan from Coastal Carolina. He brought accolades with him — a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and the Chanticleers’ single-season sack record holder — but entering a new environment, he had to prove himself all over again.

Stewart quickly got to work last season, playing in all 15 games of the Wolverines’ championship season. This season, he’s reaching another level, already close to matching his sack total from last season with five in as many games. And now he’s reached another level from a leadership perspective, too.

“I think it’s a huge accomplishment,” Esposito said. “For me, being the first year in the program and seeing a guy that transferred in become captain at the University of Michigan, it’s pretty special. And in order to do that, you have to be a special person.”

Moore and the initial four Michigan captains clearly saw that Stewart was special as well. They collectively decided to add him to the official leadership ranks — the ultimate signifier of his impact for the Wolverines thus far.

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