Chase Winovich will be alongside one of his college friends in 2020.
The New England Patriots drafted Josh Uche with the No. 60 pick in the draft out of Michigan. Uche and Winovich both rushed the passer for the Wolverines, and they did it together for three seasons. These two along with 2019 No. 12 overall pick Rashan Gary made a huge impact in 2018 — and Uche led the group in sacks with seven.
Uche is a 6-foot-2, 250 pound linebacker who will make an immediate impact in the Patriots’ defense. He’s a blur off the edge and has an incredibly high ceiling — while having the advantage of learning the same position from an old teammate.
Winovich spoke briefly about the reunion after Uche was drafted.
“That was my boy,” Winovich said. “When he was at Michigan, I remember before every game we’d talk about what techniques we were going to use to beat the tackles that week. Great to be able to have that chemistry back, possibly.”
Patriots LB Josh Uche (2nd round, 60th) on Chase Winovich: "That was my boy. When he was at Michigan, I remember before every game we'd talk about what techniques we were going to use to beat the tackles that week. Great to be able to have that chemistry back, possibly."
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 25, 2020
The Patriots lost Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts in free agency this offseason. Uche and Winovich will be instrumental pieces in rebuilding the pass-rush group and helping the Patriots’ defense remain elite.
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