Ike Iwunnah was growing increasingly frustrated with his role on the Michigan football team. The redshirt junior defensive lineman, who joined the Wolverines in 2021, was part of three consecutive Big Ten championship teams and last year’s national title squad. Despite being on such successful teams, Iwunnah never saw the field during this dominant stretch.
“I just got fed up with being on the sidelines,” Iwunnah confessed to reporters. “Watching my teammates out there working hard and playing, I started to question whether I deserved to be part of that success. I felt I needed to prove to myself that I could contribute and help this team.”
Over the past three years, Iwunnah had been confined to the scout team, while other defensive tackles like Mazi Smith, Kris Jenkins, Kenneth Grant, and Mason Graham garnered attention and made significant impacts. Despite the Wolverines’ deep rotation at the defensive tackle position, Iwunnah’s role had been limited to practice, and he struggled to get any in-game action.
However, with Jenkins and reserve defensive tackle Cam Goode departing for the NFL after last season, an opportunity emerged for other players to step up on the depth chart. Determined to seize this chance, Iwunnah dedicated himself to improving his performance. He intensified his offseason training, adjusted his diet by reducing late-day carbohydrates, and worked on refining his physical conditioning.
This dedication paid off when Iwunnah made his debut in the season opener against Fresno State. He recorded his first three tackles in the September 7 loss to Texas, despite only playing six snaps. His performance was impressive enough to earn him the highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus.
“Being on the field for the first game was surreal,” Iwunnah reflected. “I was a bit nervous, but it was the best feeling ever. Feeling the crowd’s energy and finally showing what I can do was incredible. Even though I only had three tackles against Texas, I wanted to do more. The experience was amazing.”
His strong performance against Texas led to a more significant role in the subsequent game against Arkansas State. Iwunnah played 26 defensive snaps and made a notable impact with a tackle for loss on the Red Wolves’ opening drive, disrupting a play and setting up a third-and-20.
Reflecting on his time as a scout team player, Iwunnah acknowledged that he had questioned whether he wanted to continue in that role. He realized he needed to make a change and take advantage of any opportunity to help the team. “I couldn’t just stay on the sidelines any longer. I didn’t come to Michigan just to get dressed and do nothing,” he said.
During a recent news conference, Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who had been more focused on discussing the quarterback situation, took a moment to praise Iwunnah. “Ike’s my guy,” Moore said with a smile. “He’s been on scout team for three years, and seeing his progress has been incredible. He transformed his body and started making plays in spring and summer. It’s impressive to see him continually perform at a high level.”
Iwunnah’s journey is notable considering the context of Michigan’s 2021 recruiting class, which included top-100 prospects like J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, Junior Colson, and Giovanni El-Hadi. Iwunnah, who was ranked outside the top-1,000 nationally and received his first scholarship offer only in his senior year, had to work hard to prove himself.
The three-star recruit from Lakeview Centennial in Garland, Texas, has always maintained high expectations for himself. “I know I’m capable of great things, and I want to show everyone that I’m not just a benchwarmer,” Iwunnah said. “I’m here to be a reliable player who can help the team reach new heights.”
Though he admitted to having considered transferring at times, Iwunnah remained steadfast in his belief that he could make a meaningful contribution to the Wolverines. “I wasn’t trained to give up,” he said. “I knew I had to keep grinding, improving, and earning the coaches’ trust. That’s what kept me going.”
