Michigan CB Josh Wallace signed by Los Angeles Rams
Michigan Wolverines cornerback Josh Wallace has found his NFL home with the Los Angeles Rams bringing him in as an undrafted free agent, per MLive’s Aaron McMann.
Wallace, a UMass transfer, spent one season in Ann Arbor and appeared n 15 games with 11 starts at cornerback, making 33 tackles (2.0 tackles for loss) and four passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. One of his key fumble recoveries came in the Rose Bowl comeback win over Alabama, which allowed Michigan to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. They would later win it all in dominant fashion over the Washington Huskies.
Wallace as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection for his play at Michigan. Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, he appeared in 39 games with 34 starts at cornerback for UMass, playing for former Michigan defensive coordinator and current Minutemen head coach Don Brown.
The decision to transfer had to do with helping a team win a title and going to a place where they could position him for the NFL.
“It’s a great program with great coaches that are going to get you ready to the NFL,” Wallace said at the NFL Combine. “That was my experience going to Michigan this past year. I wanted to get ready for the NFL, and they did that to the best of their ability.
“During the season, Michigan had me well-prepared for this moment. Throughout the season, being coached by Coach Harbaugh, Coach Clink, Coach Minter had us prepared for this moment, and I’m blessed to be a part of the team.”
“Draftable prospect with slightly undersized frame as a wide cornerback,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said, labeling him as a potential late-round pick or priority free agent. “Wallace was a three-time captain at UMass before transferring to Michigan. He’s a natural leader with a history of searching out challenges and putting in the work to succeed. He plays with adequate athleticism in man but lacks the size and length to control bigger NFL targets.
“Wallace is a natural route-reader, which creates opportunities for early jumps and pass breakups but an average closing burst limits his takeaway total. He’s smart, can play in a variety of cover schemes and was a good tackle-finisher at Michigan. Wallace does his job and has the intangibles to compete for a backup spot but needs to put a decent 40-yard dash time on the board.”
The 2024 NFL Draft was held April 25-27 in Detroit, 45 minutes down the road from Ann Arbor.
