[jwplayer 5m3SuqMl-XNcErKyb]
It turned out that the multiple multi-round NFL mock drafts out there that had former Michigan linebacker Josh Uche going in the third-round were quite pessimistic.
With their second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Uche at No. 60 overall in the second-round, meaning Uche will reunite with fellow former Wolverines pass rusher Chase Winovich in Foxborough.
While Michigan players and coaches rejoiced on Twitter over the selection, members of the media raved about the pick — which isn’t surprising, given the history of the Patriots under Bill Belichick at selecting high-ceiling players and getting amazing value.
WolverinesWire compiled some of the best reactions from Michigan players, coaches and staff as well as the media at-large for your perusal.
See all the reactions below:
Uche!
— G5 Big Heem🏴☠️ (@gilesjackson__) April 25, 2020
Uche! 🔥
— Andre Seldon Jr. (@AndreSeldonjr) April 25, 2020
Patriots got themselves right in front of the Titans … and take Josh Uche in the second.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 25, 2020
Josh Uche a good get for #Pats, many had him high in round two. https://t.co/eqC2G5qnGt
— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) April 25, 2020
Heard the Lions loved him, so this makes sense. https://t.co/VolEznkRBe
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) April 25, 2020
What a perfect landing spot for Josh Uche
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) April 25, 2020
New England loves its Michigan men: DE Chase Winovich in round three last year, LB Josh Uche in round two this year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2020
YEAHHHH UCHEEE!!!!
— Tarik Black (@LetmeRockk_) April 25, 2020
Love this pick. Tons of potential. Speed, power. He's got it all. https://t.co/ggwnxqTzgF
— Lee Schechter (@LeeSchechter) April 25, 2020
Honestly, considering the biggest criticisms surrounding Uche were that he wasn't used correctly in college and needs more time to develop this could really be the perfect spot for him.
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) April 25, 2020
Congrats brother! @_Uche35
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) April 25, 2020
UCHEEEE!!! Congrats bro! 💪🏼@_Uche35 and @Wino coming of the edge for the Pats! pic.twitter.com/LxMZI9wLsr
— Andrew Robinson (@ARobinson_49) April 25, 2020
LETS GO!!! Love brother🖤🙏🏾God Bless https://t.co/fTjnyj0whD
— David Ojabo🎈 (@DavidOjabo) April 25, 2020
More on Josh Uche here from my last mock draft: https://t.co/l7qg2YfLuf
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) April 25, 2020
😭😭😭 congratulations brother @_Uche35
— Josh Metellus (@NoExcuses_23) April 25, 2020
Lets goooo! Go get them Sacks @_Uche35 There is no stopping a man in a mission! Dreams come true! Now that is some pass rush with @Wino #LIVIN
— Chris Partridge (@CoachCPartridge) April 25, 2020
Let’s Gooooo!!! @_Uche35 So happy for you dawg! Always believed in yourself and worked like crazy!
— Mike McCray II (@CoachMcCray9) April 25, 2020
#Patriots trade up to snag @_Uche35, filling the void left by #KyleVanNoy with a lot of speed off the edge. Another @UMichFootball off to the #NFL. #NFLDraft
— Nick Mantas (@Nick__Mantas) April 25, 2020
Not a coincidence Patriots traded up ahead of Packers to take Josh Uche, who talked at length at the combine about his great visits with Green Bay.
— Andy Fenelon (@Andy_Fenelon) April 25, 2020
@_Uche35 SWISS ARMY KNIFE! They got them ONE! Proud of you boy💯🖤
— Mike Danna (@M_Danna4) April 25, 2020
That #Patriots Josh Uche selection in the second round…a few very respected evaluators said during the process that Uche was their pick to be the second-day star from this draft. Limited overall body of work but some stellar flashes were there – particularly in 2019.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 25, 2020
Chase @Wino and Uche rushing the passer together again! Love it! #GoBlue https://t.co/7VU4aVW4IN
— Matty Dudek (@Thee_Matty_D) April 25, 2020
YESSSSIRRRRR @_Uche35 🐐🙏🏾💙
— Luiji Vilain ⁶𓅓 (@Luiji_V) April 25, 2020
"You just wonder why he didn't play more at Michigan. He should have never come off the field because he is the multi-positional player that Bill Belichick is going to find a way to turn into a super star" — Louis Riddick on Josh Uche
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) April 25, 2020
Uche to the Patriots. Don Brown's D starting to feel like a Bill Belichick sleeper cell. Noteworthy that the Lions were one of the teams New England jumped with the trade up to grab an edge rusher who worked with Patricia's staff at Senior Bowl.
— John Niyo (@JohnNiyo) April 25, 2020
YEA UCHE🖤💰 @_Uche35 https://t.co/OMwaRMDPqQ
— Christopher Hinton (@Thechrishinton) April 25, 2020
UCHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ❤️ @Patriots
— "Hit-Man" (@KhalekeHudson) April 25, 2020
I'll be surprised if Uche isn't really good in the NFL
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) April 25, 2020
#joshuche helps the @Patriots replace losing Jamie Collins & Kyle Van Noy. As usual #patriots get a LB who can play more than one position. #nfl #nfldraft #NewEngland
— Phil Simms (@PhilSimmsQB) April 25, 2020
Congrats @_Uche35. Hunt that QB down! Combination of speed and power coming to New England!!💨💪🏽
— Shaun Nua (@CoachNua) April 25, 2020
So fired up for @_Uche35! When @nfl scouts would ask about a player comp, the guy that kept coming to mind was Ninkovich and how the @Patriots used him throughout his career. His best football is ahead for sure. Rare natural bend, violent punch and pursuit. Proud of this guy! 〽️
— Sean Magee (@UMichMagee) April 25, 2020
No brainer! #ProBlue https://t.co/Aunsd5aOVT
— Nate Crutchfield (@n8crutch) April 25, 2020
Hey #Patriots fans, that's an exciting pick! Get familiar with Josh Uche (@_Uche35) via my @TheDraftWire interview with him.https://t.co/CEYdOl23w3#NFLDraft | #GoBlue | #Pats
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 25, 2020
Wow so happy for this man! @Patriots got a great one! As twitchy as they come with relentless assault & loves to grind! #ProBlue🔵 https://t.co/GpLssTCdNL
— Sherrone Moore (@Coach_SMoore) April 25, 2020
Congrats brother
— Aashon Larkins (@CoachALarkins) April 25, 2020
Can't think of a team that would take better advantage of @_Uche35's versatility. And he's reuniting with @Wino! https://t.co/4wfvPnBIlB
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) April 25, 2020
Josh Uche: 3-star (0.8558) recruit. No. 707 overall prospect in 2016 class per 247Sports Composite rankings. Primary recruiter: Don Brown. Second-round draft pick in NFL Draft.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) April 25, 2020
Josh Uche had the highest QB pressure rate among edge defenders since 2018. pic.twitter.com/zc1r1wMQ5g
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 25, 2020
Josh Uche is a similar player to Kyle Van Noy coming out of college
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 25, 2020
The Patriots select LB Josh Uche (Michigan) in the second round (No. 60, via trade).
Uche is 6-foot-1, 245 pounds. Considered a versatile player, with pass-rush skills.
Has a bit of a Tedy Bruschi-type profile when Bruschi was coming out of Arizona.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 25, 2020
Uche!!! The #Patriots pair Chase Winovich with former Michigan teammate Josh Uche. Explosive edge rusher with the versatile to play off the ball as well. Love it. https://t.co/D38V1PB1OO
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 25, 2020
Over the past 2 seasons, Uche's 22.5 pressure % was the highest in the COUNTRY. Yes, higher than Chase Young's.
A versatile player and perfect scheme fit for the Patriots as well
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) April 25, 2020
uche is a different breed… proud of that boy !!
— J’Marick Woods (@jmarickwoods) April 25, 2020
Josh Uche in New England is a perfect fit.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) April 25, 2020
Winovich on one side, Uche on the other. The edge of the #Patriots defense is all maize & blue 🤷♂️
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) April 25, 2020
Josh Uche ranked second behind only Chase Young in my Adjusted Overall Win Rate metric at EDGE. (Combination of @PFF's Pass Rush Win Rate and Run Stops, weighted so pass rush is more important.) Classic Belichick to get him at 60. pic.twitter.com/im1hLQJNyV
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) April 25, 2020