Michigan football is preparing to attempt to make another run at a national championship with a new head coach, starting quarterback and several new pieces taking the place of key members from last year’s squad.
The Wolverines’ will be led by Sherrone Moore as head coach who took over for Jim Harbaugh when he accepted the Los Angeles Chargers job in the NFL.
But on Sunday, the Michigan football community got some sad news that isn’t related to the 2024 season.
Obi Enzah — a linebacker who became a key member for the Wolverines while he played at Michigan from 2006-2010, died suddenly at age 36 according to the Michigan Wolverines football social media accounts.
We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Wolverine linebacker Obi Ezeh. Our prayers go out to his family, friends and former teammates. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/2yjDvvDXj4
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) May 5, 2024
The cause of his death is unknown, but his mother posted a touching tribute to her son on Facebook.
“My very own! My Obi. My #2. My heart. My father’s heart. My quiet giant!,” his mother, Nkechy, posted on Facebook. “Grand child of an elephant. Journey well to your maker oo. Mother Mary please hold his hands for me. St. Peter open the gate for him as the celestial choirs marshal him in to Jesus.
“My Obinna Ezeh, you will always be in my heart my beloved son..💙”
Obi Ezeh Became A Standout Linebacker For The Michigan Wolverines
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.
He finished with 293 career tackles, which included 19½ for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and eight pass breakups, and had nine games with 10 tackles or more during his collegiate tenure with the Wolverines.
“We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Wolverine linebacker Obi Ezeh,” the Michigan football program wrote on X on Sunday morning. “Our prayers go out to his family, friends and former teammates. May he rest in peace.”
After his senior season in 2010, Ezeh declared for the 2011 NFL Draft, where he went undrafted. He later signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins.
The Michigan Wolverines athletic community has had a rough week when it comes to their alumni passing away at an early age.
The announcement of Ezeh’s death comes just days after former Michigan point guard Darius Morris died on Thursday at the age of 33. Morris played at Michigan from 2009 to 2011 and set the school’s then-record for assists in a single season (235) as a sophomore.