With a new head coach, a starting quarterback, and a number of new players taking the place of important individuals from the team from the previous season, Michigan football is getting ready to try to win a national championship again.
Sherrone Moore, the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who chose a job with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.
On Sunday, however, the Michigan football community received some depressing news unrelated to the 2024 campaign.
According to the Michigan Wolverines football social media pages, linebacker Obi Enzah, who played at Michigan from 2006 to 2010, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 36. Enzah was a vital member of the team throughout his time there.
His mother wrote a heartfelt remembrance to her son on Facebook, while the cause of his passing is unknown.
“Wholly owned! My older brother. My second choice. my heart. The heart of my father. His mother, Nkechy, wrote on Facebook, “My quiet giant!” Amazing offspring of an elephant. Travel safely to your creator, oo. Please hold his hands for me, Mother Mary. The choirs of heaven escort him to Jesus as St. Peter opens the gate for him.
“My dear son, you will always hold a special place in my heart, Obinna Ezeh.
Obi Ezeh developed into a standout Michigan Wolverines linebacker.
Before coming to Ann Arbor, Ezeh shined as a running back at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. There, he was a three-year starter, set the school’s career rushing record (3,189 yards) and led the team to an 11-2 record and the 2005 Division 4 state championship game as a senior. He later helped lead the rugby team to a state title.
He was also a member of a three-time state champion high school rugby team and was invited to try out with the United States national rugby union team.
Ezeh spent five seasons in Ann Arbor (2006-10) playing under coaches Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez, becoming a mainstay in the middle. The 6-foot-4 Ezeh, at 244 pounds, played 50 games across his collegiate career, and after redshirting in 2006, became a freshman All-America in 2007 and an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2008.
In his first season playing for the Michigan football team, he redshirted as a true freshman. Then, as a redshirt freshman for the 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team, he battled for the starting middle linebacker position and appeared to have lost the position early in the season. However, after an injury he became a regular starter.
He concluded the season with thirteen and twelve tackle efforts against bitter rivals Michigan State and Ohio State, respectively. He started his redshirt sophomore season with a Big Ten Conference player of the week, fifteen-tackle effort for the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team. He finished the season as an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection. Just after earning 2009 midseason Butkus Award watchlist recognition, he was removed from the starting lineup and saw limited action in the final four games.
During his collegiate career with the Wolverines, he finished with 293 total tackles, including 19½ for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups. He also had nine games with 10 tackles or more.
The former Wolverine linebacker Obi Ezeh passed away, and we are devastated to learn about it,” the Michigan football department posted on X early Sunday morning. “His family, friends, and former teammates are in our thoughts and prayers. I hope he finds peace.
Ezeh announced his candidacy for the 2011 NFL Draft following his senior year in 2010, however he was not selected. Later, he signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent.
With so many of their alumni dying young, the Michigan Wolverines athletic community has had a difficult week.
Only a few days have passed since the 33-year-old former Michigan point guard Darius Morris passed away on Thursday. Morris attended Michigan from 2009 to 2011, when as a sophomore, he established the school record for assists in a single season (235).
