The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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40 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2023 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND I t was a long time coming for I'Marion Stewart. The four-star wide receiver out of Chicago Kenwood Acad- emy was considered a Michigan lean since early last fall. Af- ter going through the process, Stewart finally made the call and committed to the Wolverines in June. "It felt like home," Stewart said. "I've been there like three or four times, and the experi- ences have been really good, es- pecially the game days. Coach [Ron] Bellamy is my guy. He tries to find as much time as he can to text me. He has a really good relationship with me." Stewart's decision came al- most immediately following his weekend official visit to Michi- gan. The talented pass catcher met with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordina- tor and area recruiter Sherrone Moore and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, and he got an in-depth look at the program. "It went well," Stewart said. "I've been down there a few times, so I've basically seen everything. This time, I spent more time with the players. I also spent more time with Coach Bellamy, Coach Moore and Coach Harbaugh. Usually when I'm there, I'm around the stadium. This time, I got a whole cam- pus tour. I definitely love the campus." Bellamy made Stewart a top priority throughout the process and once again made an impression on him during the visit. "We talked about everything," Stew- art said. "It was more what I can do and what I'll be able to do. How I can play a good role in the offense. He com- pared me to Roman [Wilson]. I like the way they used him and got him the ball in different variations — short game, deep and getting him the ball quick and letting him work. Ro- man will be gone, so I'll be able to compete for that spot right away." Stewart's father, Ira, joined him on the official visit and also fell in love with what the program had to offer on and off the field. "For me personally, that block M has always been special in my heart," Ira said. "I'm a big fan of the Fab Five and have watched all the historic football moments. The relationships that were built with Coach Bellamy, the meet- ings with Coach Jim Harbaugh, being on campus and interacting with the guys — I'm a big fan of [sophomore wide receiver] Ty- ler Morris [from nearby Boling- brook, Ill.] — and the brother- hood I felt in that receiver room all stood out. That brotherhood was contagious. It was a good feeling knowing he would be go- ing into that brotherhood. "Iron sharpens iron. There is a lot of iron at Michigan. I felt good and confident in his decision. He'll be around a whole bunch of playmak- ers and ball players. I think we all had a feeling that he'll be able to develop really well at Michigan." With his decision now out of the way, Stewart is already looking ahead and is excited about the future of the U-M program. "We can definitely win a lot of games, make it to the championship and hope- fully win a national title," Stewart said. "They already have a winning history, so I think it's going to be nothing but good games and a lot of wins, especially be- cause of the amount of people they have coming in and the talent they have com- ing in the 2024 class. Then, they have the 2023 class with Fredrick [Moore], Semaj [Morgan] and all of them. I think it's going to be good." Stewart, who is rated as the No. 53 wide receiver and No. 308 overall pros- pect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking, committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Oregon, Tennessee and Wisconsin. ❏ Talented Chicago Pass Catcher I'Marion Stewart Chooses U-M Stewart is ranked as the No. 53 wide receiver and No. 308 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Rankings. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Stewart is a versatile prospect who can line up in the slot or split out wide. He also has experi- ence playing on the defensive side of the ball and excels in the secondary. Stewart best projects in the slot due to his short-area quickness and ability to make plays after the catch. While he isn't a true burner, he has enough speed to stretch the field vertically as well. He is a consistent pass catcher and a crafty route runner. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Stewart doesn't have verified times, so it's tough to tell just how fast he is. On tape and in person, it appears he has more burst than true straight-line speed. Stewart had a slender frame as an underclassman but has added about 10 pounds this offseason. He will need to continue to develop in his upper half upon arrival in Ann Arbor. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy used Roman Wilson as a player comparison during Stewart's official visit. However, he may resemble sophomore wideout Tyler Morris a little closer. Like Stewart, Morris had question marks about his speed as a recruit, but he was a polished route runner and a terrific natural pass catcher. Morris also had enough speed to make plays after the catch and also had experience playing as a defensive back at the high school level. — EJ Holland