Shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft concluded, Michigan cornerback Josh Wallace found the next step in his career.
Shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft concluded, Michigan cornerback Josh Wallace found the next step in his career. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, who went undrafted in this weekend’s NFL Draft, has agreed to an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams, according to several reports.
Wallace, who produced 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble for Michigan last season after transferring from UMass last summer, will attempt to become the next Michigan player to participate in an NFL game despite going undrafted. According to Pro Football Reference, the list contains 25 former Wolverines during the last decade, including defensive backs Vincent Gray, Brandon Rusnak (Watson), Dymonte Thomas, and Jarrod Wilson.
Wallace committed to Michigan as a graduate transfer in June, following a four-year career at Massachusetts that totaled 137 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 24 pass breakups. The Wolverines were looking for a third cornerback to join Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil.
Wallace outperformed expectations in a 15-game season. He appeared in all 15 games, making 11 starts, and finished with 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He gave up 21 receptions for 211 yards on 41 targets in coverage. He ranked 19th out of 226 cornerbacks in PFF’s coverage grade, 22nd in snaps per target, 25th in snaps per reception, 53rd in passer rating, and 62nd in completion percentage allowed.
Wallace was chosen honorable mention All-Big Ten and was an important member of Michigan’s national-leading defense.
Wallace shown outstanding football IQ and coverage instincts as he transitioned from one of the poorest teams in the FBS to the top. He rarely seemed out of place athletically, and even held his own against top passing teams like Washington, Ohio State and Alabama. Wallace, a three-year Minutemen captain, added another mature, senior presence to the secondary.
He shown the ability to rapidly grasp a new playbook, stick with NFL-caliber receivers using efficient technique, and play nearly mistake-free football, with only one penalty and two missed tackles entire season. Perhaps the best tribute that could be made to Wallace is that, on a nation-leading defense that may have 15 NFL Draft picks over a two-year period,
Wallace never seemed out of place. Wallace has appeared in 54 games and made 45 starts in his career, so there’s little doubt about what he’d provide to an NFL club in year one in terms of work ethic and football knowledge.
Despite being invited to the NFL Draft Combine, Wallace was not selected this weekend. Wallace is slightly small for an NFL cornerback, and his 4.68-second 40-yard dash and 4.35-second shuttle time didn’t help his cause. Wallace, who will turn 24 in July, is not considered to have above-average size, athleticism, or ceiling in today’s NFL.
And, while his on-field performance demonstrates strong instincts and talents, his three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 45 career starts do not reflect his ability to wreak havoc on the defense rather than simply following assignments.
Still, the Bowie, Maryland native will get his chance in Los Angeles and try to keep his NFL dream alive this summer and fall.
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