Today’s NFL demands much from its edge defenders, from rushing the passer and setting the edge against the run, to dropping into coverage and chasing down ball-carriers of all kinds.
If your favorite team is looking for one of the most versatile edge defenders in the 2020 NFL draft class, Michigan’s Josh Uche is their man.
Uche recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the big numbers he put up for the Wolverines, his status as he works his way back from an injury, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: You’re a two-time All-Big 10 honoree, and you were also named as Michigan’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. What comes to mind when I read off those accolades?
JU: I just think about all of the hard work that went into that. That’s what I honestly think about. I think about the times when I wasn’t technically considered a starting player even though I basically started at the SAM position. I worked so hard for this. I made the most of every opportunity given to me. Every time I’m on the field, I’m just doing my job at a high level. I made plays at a high level. When you read off those accolades to me, I just think about hard work.
JM: You played in every game in 2019, and you had 8.5 sacks to go with 11.5 tackles for loss. What is it about your game that lead to that production?
JU: I look back at 2018. I lead the team in sacks then as well. I could have had double digit sacks that year. It just comes back to making the most of every opportunity that came my way. I was just given more opportunities in 2019. That’s why the production increased. That’s all it was. I was used in a lot of different ways. I played off the ball, I played in man coverage. I was on the field more often and it lead to more production.
JM: How did it feel to finally get on the field in a full-time role?
JU: It felt great. I saw some glimpses of the field in 2017. I made plays whenever I was in. It took a pretty big jump in 2018. 2019 felt great. It felt good to finally be counted on. I finally got to play a key role on the defense. The entire journey has been a blessing. My hard work paid off.
JM: An injury kept you from fully participating at the combine. Where are you health-wise right now?
JU: I had a hamstring strain that I suffered during the Senior Bowl. I’m back. I’m running at full speed right now. I’ve been running the 40-yard dash and doing some position work as well. I’m getting back to 100%. I’m already at 90%, I would say.
JM: The Michigan Pro Day was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Would you have been a full participant?
JU: I would have ran the 40-yard dash. I would have done the broad and vertical jumps. I would have been out there on the field for the position drills as well.
JM: What are some of the numbers you’ve been putting up in training?
JU: My first day training, I was running a 4.6 flat laser time. I was estimated to get into the low to mid 4.5’s. If everything went well for me, maybe I could have ran in the high 4.4’s. You never know. I ran a 4.60 on my first day of training. If things kept trending the way that they were, I probably would have ran around a 4.55.
JM: You were still at the combine, of course. What was your experience like out there?
JU: I had a great time out there. Being able to interact with some of the top guys in the nation was great. I enjoyed meeting some NFL personnel as well. I’m used to seeing those guys on TV. It was great to get a chance to actually meet them. It was a dream come true. I used to watch the combine every year and think to myself that I wonder what it’s like to actually to be there. I hoped to get there one day and it happened for me. It’s a dream come true. I soaked in the moment. I kept taking mental notes. I enjoyed the experience.
JM: Did you have a lot of formal or informal interviews?
JU: Yeah, I had a lot. My plate was definitely full. I had a lot of both, formals and informals. They all went very well.
JM: Who were some of the teams that you met with formally?
JU: I met with so many teams. I met with the Titans, Chiefs, Raiders and Ravens just to name a few. I met with so many teams. Any team you can think of, I’ve probably done something with them at some point throughout this process. That’s the honest truth.
JM: Once again, I understand that the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted your private visit and workout schedule, but were you able to get any of those meetings in before the shutdown?
JU: I was able to talk to some coaches that were already in Michigan for the pro day before the cancellation. I met with some of them at the hotel. We went for lunch and stuff like that. I have some calls set up right now. We’re still hopping on the phones.
JM: Who were some of the teams that you were scheduled to meet with?
JU: It goes back to some of the same teams at the combine. Any team you can think of, I most likely had something scheduled with them at some point. Whether that was a workout, a formal interview or whatever, I’ve done something with them. It’s been pretty hectic but that’s how the situation is playing out.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
JU: Honestly, I can’t really say that I was asked anything out of the ordinary. I didn’t have any odd questions. The only thing I can really think of, somebody asked me what my choice of liquor was? That’s the only one that I can really think of. Other than that, I didn’t have any off-the-wall questions.
JM: How did you answer that one?
JU: I just told them that I don’t really drink. The rare time that I do, Hennessy is my drink of choice. That’s the only alcohol I even remotely enjoy.
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
JU: It’s very unique. A lot of guys go into their rushes with a set move. A lot of guys are gonna work that move regardless of how the offensive tackle takes his set. I attack more and I react more. I’m very reactive. Whatever the tackle gives me, I react to it. At times, I dictate what I’m gonna do as well. It’s a very unique arsenal. Pass rushing is an art form to me. There’s a lot that goes into it. I have the power rush, I have speed, I have the stutter, I have some counters. I have a lot of moves in my arsenal.
JM: What would you consider your go-to?
JU: I would say that my go-to move is really just a speed rush. I love using my speed off the edge. Speed allows me to work a touch-and-go, a scissors or a chop. It can all be predicated off the speed rush.
JM: You touched on some of the versatility, but how do you switch it up and get away from speed to keep a tackle on his toes?
JU: Once I’ve threatened the tackle with speed, they have to respect it. He doesn’t have another choice really. He has to respect my speed. He starts to over-prepare for speed and then I’ll hit him with a bull rush. They don’t expect much power from a guy my size. I guess they underestimate me a little bit. Once I hit them with the power, now they have to respect that as well. That allows me to stutter and counter inside. I can keep going back to the edge as well. I set everything up with speed but I throw in some power as well. I just keep working things from there. I’m always working to find something that works for that match-up.
JM: You mentioned your size. Some people underestimate you and consider you to be undersized. How do you respond to those critics?
JU: I may not be 6-6 or whatever, but I have arms that are longer than most guys. Honestly, my arms are longer than most tackles. That’s one of the things I was blessed with. I use my length very well. I may not be a towering figure but my arms allow me to get off a block quickly. It allows me to prevent offensive linemen from getting their hands on me. Most of all, it allows me to work my pass rush moves at a very efficient rate.
JM: Who are some of the best tackles you’ve ever gone up against?
JU: Jedrick Wills, Jr. from Alabama and Tristan Wirfs from Iowa immediately come to mind. They were the two best tackles I’ve ever played against.
JM: If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one teammate with you, who would you bring and why?
JU: I would bring Khaleke Hudson with me. He’s so versatile. He’s a high-character guy, first and foremost. He works so hard. He does everything the right way. He’s gonna be a great addition to any team at the next level. Whoever gives that guy a shot in the NFL, they’re not gonna regret it. He’s so versatile that he can fit in anywhere.
JM: When a team uses a draft pick on Josh Uche, what kind of guy are they getting?
JU: I can talk about so many things. I can talk about the versatility. I can talk about the pass rush arsenal that I possess. I can talk about all of my strengths but at the end of the day, you’re getting a guy that’s gonna work his ass off every single day. There’s no drama that comes attached to me. I’m about my business. I’m always looking to get better. Even if I had a great day, the aim is to be even better tomorrow. That’s something I take pride in. That’s what a team is gonna get in me.
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