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Michigan fans know full well what a menace former SAM linebacker Josh Uche can be on the field. He led the team in sacks two years running, coming seemingly out of nowhere.
But his ascension didn’t just happen overnight.
No, Uche was starting to look like something of an afterthought as part of the revered 2016 class, not getting the early playing time like many of his counterparts — like Devin Bush Jr., Lavert Hill, David Long, Rashan Gary and plenty others that earned starting roles in just their second years with the program.
Uche was injured, and didn’t have seemingly a set position. Somewhere in between a defensive end and a linebacker, he found himself languishing on the bench, but some teammates and a new strength coach who started in 2018 helped him get through his personal tribulations.
He explained in an interview with NFL.com.
“The most recent challenge was during my time at Michigan when I wasn’t playing as much as I imagined. But with a lot of prayer and faith, I stayed with it, didn’t transfer and got to where I wanted with the help of some people. I don’t think I could’ve gotten through that time without my teammates, Khaleke Hudson and Chris Evans. I did everything with them, and they’d always tell me to be patient and talked me up to everyone when I was a nobody.
“My strength coach at Michigan, Ben Herbert, is also someone I hold in high regard. My career didn’t start out the way I had envisioned it. I didn’t play a lot, I didn’t weigh a lot, but when he got there, he pushed me to another level that I didn’t know I had. In everything — on the football field and in my personal life. He always gives me a clear, concise opinion, and I trust that opinion very much. He helped me turn the corner when he saw me not living up to my potential.”
Finally, Michigan figured he was best coming off the edge, despite being listed as a strong-side linebacker. Once he got opportunities in that role in 2018, Uche started to thrive.
He credits Don Brown for seeing his potential, pushing him and turning him into the player he eventually became.
“I don’t think Don Brown, defensive coordinator at Michigan, knows how much he’s changed my life. I was predominantly a defensive end, and he converted me into a versatile linebacker. He was really hard on me and constantly making sure I was doing the most, but he turned me into the player I am. I don’t think there are enough thank-yous in the world that could convey how thankful I am for what he did for me.”
Uche left Michigan with a year of eligibility remaining. Despite being, as Reese’s Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy said, the most disruptive player in the all-star showcase, he’s projected to be either a second or third-round pick in this month’s NFL Draft.