After trading out of the first round, the Los Angeles Rams made multiple picks on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The team took tight end Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon with the 46th overall selection and later used the No. 90 overall pick on Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart.
“Just the emotions running through me on that phone call, man, I just couldn’t hold it in,” Stewart said of getting the call from Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay.
“Even right now, just thinking back on it, everything that went into this moment and all the people that were here supporting me and hearing them, how proud they were of me and everything I do this for, they were all there. I’m just glad it all worked out. I’m just happy to be a Ram. Let’s do it.”
Stewart noted that he did not have many meetings with the Rams prior to the draft but is excited to join their talented defensive line. “I did a little bit. We didn’t meet a crazy amount, but we had a couple of Zooms,” Stewart said.
“We met at my pro day and it went great. They liked the fact of having violent edge rushers in me, [Jared] Verse, Byron Young and that whole d-line. I’m excited to get after it.”
Stewart played his first two college seasons at Coastal Carolina before playing two more with the Wolverines. The 22-year-old’s senior season included 33 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 games for Michigan. All-in-all, he totaled 150 tackles and 30 sacks in 51 career games.
With the departure of Michael Hoecht in free agency, Stewart should get some opportunities from the jump as a rotational pass rusher if he has an impressive camp.
Josaiah Stewart grateful to celebrate Rams’ selection with family
Stewart reflected on his journey to the Rams and is grateful that he got to celebrate the moment with his family. “My mom, my closest group of friends, my sisters and my brothers. From starting football in high school, those were the guys,” Stewart said.
“They were playing before me and I joined because of them. Throughout the journey, they made sure my head was on straight, I was always doing right and they always supported me. My mom, I don’t have enough words for her and everything she’s done. I’m just happy to make her proud.”
