When you see someone deserves that spot and it doesn’t happen, it stings worse than others. Which also spoils the party for the ones who made the cut.

In the cutthroat world of college football, postseason awards are a badge of honor, the ultimate recognition of a player’s hard work and dominance on the field. Yet every year, someone deserving gets left out, and this season’s eyebrow-raising omission sent a shockwave through Ann Arbor. Michigan fans weren’t the only ones left scratching their heads. A former Wolverine QB and the man behind last season’s undefeated success, JJ McCarthy, now one of the NFL’s hottest rookies, made it clear he wasn’t happy either.

Going public with it on his Instagram page, sharing a story with a post from a recognized Michigan sports fan page, Barstool Sports, JJ McCarthy stood in solidarity with his former DE. The snub in question? Josaiah Stewart—Michigan’s relentless senior edge rusher—was mysteriously left off the All-American lists despite putting up the kind of stats that scream elite. As the caption of the post demanded justice too, “Our 2024 All Americans, plus Josaiah Stewart (who should have been one) #Snubbed.”

Josaiah Stewart leads the Wolverines in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries. The man practically lives in opponents’ backfields, yet when the honors rolled in, his name was nowhere to be found. That didn’t sit well with his former quarterback, JJ McCarthy. Now a Viking and the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the former #9 called out the snub and made it loud and clear—my guy deserved better.

“Josaiah is one of those guys who sets the tone every single play,” McCarthy once said of his former teammate. And it’s true. Stewart isn’t just a stats machine; he’s a leader through and through. Named an alternate captain before the season, Stewart earned a full captaincy midway through the year. That kind of elevation doesn’t happen by accident. Sherrone Moore, in his first year as Michigan’s head coach, recognized Stewart’s relentless work ethic and the impact he has on the team both on and off the field. “He’s the guy everyone rallies around,” Moore said earlier this season. “When he’s out there, the energy changes.”

If there’s any silver lining to Stewart’s omission, it’s that the Wolverines are still piling up postseason accolades. Defensive tackle Mason Graham has emerged as the face of Michigan’s dominant front, earning multiple All-American nods. But the 6-1, 285 pound, #0’s snub stands out because his numbers speak for themselves. Nearly nine sacks and 33 tackles on the season? That’s the kind of production that usually lands you on every awards list imaginable. Factor in that Stewart missed a game due to injury and still outperformed many of his peers, and the omission starts to feel downright egregious.

Of course, Michigan’s season has been a rollercoaster in its own right. Under Moore, the Wolverines finished 7–5—far from their usual standard—but still managed to flex in key moments, none bigger than their win over Ohio State. It marked their fourth straight victory over their bitter rival, a streak that has Buckeye fans in disarray. Postgame chaos only added to the tension, with Ohio lawmakers even proposing a wild new law that would make flag planting at Ohio Stadium a felony. McCarthy’s response to that? A simple, sarcastic four-word message on Instagram.

JJ McCarthy kept it spicy with his reaction

You can always count on former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy to have his teammates’ backs, even from the NFL. When news broke about a proposed law in Ohio that would make planting a flag at Ohio Stadium a felony offense, McCarthy couldn’t resist chiming in. His reaction? Classic JJ. Taking to Instagram, McCarthy posted, “We did it boys,” with a laughing-crying emoji—clearly amused by the whole situation. He quickly deleted the post, but not before the internet caught wind of it. You just know he had to be grinning ear-to-ear when he hit “share.”

For context, this all ties back to Michigan’s dominant 45-23 win over the Buckeyes in Columbus on November 26, 2022. The Wolverines, understandably hyped after shocking most college football analysts, capped off the victory by planting their flag on the Buckeyes’ home turf. It was a moment Michigan fans won’t forget—and apparently, neither will Ohio lawmakers.

Now in the NFL, is still the ultimate hype man for his former teammates. Even from afar, he’s ready to celebrate their wins, support their swagger, and remind everyone who deserves it if he sees something’s not right. Just like he stood up for Stewart.