From the Bronx to the NFL: The rapid rise of Josaiah Stewart
In short: In just a few years, an outside linebacker went from a three-star recruit to a national champion and a third-round NFL draft pick. Discover the remarkable trajectory of a defensive powerhouse who rewrote record books at Coastal Carolina before conquering the Big Ten.
Born in the Bronx on April 26, 2003, Josaiah Stewart’s path to professional football was marked by record-breaking individual performances and high-profile transfers. After attending Everett High School in Massachusetts, Stewart began his collegiate journey at Coastal Carolina University. His freshman season in 2021 was particularly dominant; he recorded 13 sacks, breaking the previous school record of 10.5 held by Tarron Jackson, and earned first-team Freshman All-American honors.
Stewart's ability to disrupt plays was evident through his statistics. During his time with the Chanticleers, he amassed 79 tackles and 16 sacks. Seeking new challenges, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and joined the University of Michigan on December 18, 2022. At Michigan, he became a vital component of a championship-caliber defense, contributing to the Wolverines' 2023 national championship victory. His impact was immediate, earning Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors following a performance against Nebraska in September 2023.
By his senior season in 2024, Stewart had transitioned from an alternate captain to a full-fledged captain under coach Sherrone Moore. His final collegiate campaign was statistically significant, as he led his team in tackles for a loss, sacks, and forced fumbles. This sustained excellence led him to declare for the 2025 NFL draft, where the Los Angeles Rams selected him with the 90th overall pick in the third round. In his rookie season, he maintained his disruptive edge, posting a 12.6% pressure rate, which ranked fourth among all rookie defensive players.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Josaiah Stewart
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-josaiah-stewart.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
