There were a number of complaints about Josh Metellus in Michigan.
First, he committed as a two-star. He arrived on campus as a three-star and gained his first start in his freshman year in the Capital One Orange Bowl when Jabrill Peppers didn’t play.
He became a starter at safety the next year, and had the negative moment most fans remember him for: He dropped a sure interception against rival Ohio State that would have kept the Buckeyes off the board when Michigan was up 14-0.
However, his career in Ann Arbor was beyond solid, and he didn’t get the recognition he deserved.
His contribution to the Wolverines resulted in him being a sixth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL draft. He started the season on the practice squad but was elevated to the 53-man roster two weeks later. Metellus went from special teams stalwart to starter at free safety for the Vikings. He made his first start in 2022 in the Week 2 game against the Lions, and he made the game-sealing interception for Minnesota.
On Monday, the Vikings named him a team captain.
High praise for our newest captain, @NoExcuses_23. pic.twitter.com/0XlkigheDH
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 9, 2023
The Vikings are the NFC North champions and will represent the division in the playoffs starting this next weekend.
In 2022, he’s amassed 43 tackles (30 solo) and five passes defended. Before Michigan, he was high school teammates with fellow Wolverines Devin Bush Jr. and Devin Gil at Charles Flanagan High School outside of Miami.
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