Josh Uche
EDGE
Michigan
Strengths
6'1"
Height
Weight
245
Bench | 40-Time | 10-Time | 20-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Vertical | Broad Jump | 20-Shuttle | 60-Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
3-Cone | Hand | Arm | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|---|
Final Grade
6.82
Torn Meniscus (2016), Dealt with a Bad Virus (2016), Stress Fracture in Foot (2017), Hamstring Injury at Senior Bowl
Injury History
Games Evaluated
2019 Vs: Iowa, Penn State, Illinois 2018 Vs: Wisconsin
Team Fit
He is quite a versatile player having an impact in pass rush, run defense, and in coverage. Has great burst coming off the line when rushing the passer, his speed definitely shows. Consistently sets the edge and has the ability to move all over the line coming from the edge and inside through the A and B gaps. Shows flexibility with the limited times he had to do so.
Weaknessess
Lacks polish when it comes to pass rush doesn't show any versatility with his moves, consistently finds himself caught in the offensive tackles grasp. Not a physical player, can’t get a bull rush going, needs to improve his play strength. A big struggle for him is the ability to shed blocks, once he caught up in a block more often than not he isn't the one to make the tackle.
Big Picture
Josh Uche played in 39 games in his career with 52 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. He was able to produce and shows the ability to work from many different spots on defense. He projects to fit better in a 3-4 defense rather than 4-3 with the SAM linebacker looking like his best position. His versatile ability to drop back in coverage more valuable as a linebacker than a pure edge rusher. His ability to cover the flats and rush up the middle make him an intriguing prospect but he will need to improve his play strength if he wants to find his way in the NFL. He projects to be a day 2 prospect in the draft, who could have an impact on 3rd down year 1 but will need to polish his pass rush and improve play strength to develop into a starter as a 3-4 OLB.
Player Comp
Athleticism:
7.04
Lateral Agility | Flexibility | Explosiveness | Playing Strength | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6.7 | 6.8 | 7.3 |
Shows good change of direction but can take time to establish his feet from time to time. He has good flexibility but didn't get a lot of chances to show it. he has very good explosiveness, comes off the line with an extra burst. Great playing speed for an edge, can run down ball carriers. Shows good coordination, just needs more consistency with how lower half.
6.72
Pass Rush Ability:
First-Step Quickness | Use of Hands | Leverage | Pass Rush Moves | Finish Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7.9 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 7 |
Big Play Ability
Great initial quickness off the line, typically the first one with movement going forward. Use of hands is solid but still unrefined, could use some development in this aspect. Solid leverage but inconsistent with winning at the line. Pass rush moves still need development, didn’t show a lot of versatility in this aspect. Good finishing ability, once he has the ball carrier rapped up he’s bringing him down.
Against The Run:
6.92
Good at playing with leverage, doesn't give up the outside when runners come his way. Adequate when it comes to shedding off tackles but needs to be more consistent with escaping blocks gets controlled in that aspect too often. Very good at shooting the gap, came squeezing through the A and B consistently. Very good at bringing down runners whether it’s him coming at him or having to go in pursuit, takes great angles, not wasting space to make the tackle. Very good tackler, rarely allows tackles to be broken.
Set the Edge | Stack and Shed | Range | Gap Shooting Ability | Tackling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | 7.2 | 7.1 |
Competitiveness:
7.1
Toughness | Consistency/Motor | Disruption |
|---|---|---|
7 | 7 |
Good toughness but lacks the physical strength to consistently use his power rush. Doesn't give up on plays and has a good motor that will consistently put out full effort as long as he is on the field. Very good production, he came away with 11.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 of those were sacks for his 2019 season.
Intelligence:
7.03
Very good instincts, show quick reactions whether it’s dropping back, against the run, or pass rush. Consistently stay on his job not finding himself out of place. Good teamwork, sacrifices time that could go more towards edge duties to drop back in coverage.
Awareness | Play Recognition | Position Versatility |
|---|---|---|
7.1 | 7 | 6.89 |