Michigan corner Josh Wallace is impressing early in camp
Michigan cornerback Josh Wallace has been a perfect fit after transferring from UMass this summer, competing with several others for playing time. Some believe he will be the opening day starter on the opposite side of sophomore Will Johnson, though there’s still plenty of competition. Former Michigan captain Jon Jansen said on the most recent In the Trenches podcast everyone on the team has been impressed with him, raving about how he has “come in, put his head down, put the work in,” and competed.
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“I’ve really been in the building [Schembechler Hall] a lot … way more than I was previously at UMass,” Wallace told Jansen. “[Grad student corner] Mike Sainristil has been helping me a lot. He’s been my roommate in the hotel, as well. Since I got here, he and I have been like twin brothers. We come into the facility at the same time, and he’s been helping me a lot during this process. That’s how I picked up the playbook so fast.
“It’s very important [to learn both nickel and corner], because in the [NFL], the first year, they probably already have the outside guys. That’s how it usually works with the wideouts, too. So, you’ve got to be able to learn multiple positions at a time because if someone goes down, you’ve just got to be ready to come in.”
And make no mistake — the NFL is his goal. That’s one of the reasons he picked Michigan over other suitors, understanding he was going to be well coached by Steve Clinkscale and that there was an opportunity. Though he’s competing for time with many, he’s also taken on a leadership role to help the young corners.
Unlike many on this Michigan team, Wallace has three years of game experience to lean on. His teammates can “expect a guy that’s going to go hard every play, be there for his teammates and make plays at the end of the day,” he said, adding it’s the guy who makes the most plays that’s going to start.
“[NFL aspirations] played a huge part,” he said of his decision to come to Michigan. “They had a whole bunch of corners who were successful the last couple of years — Vince [Gray] and last year DJ [Turner], [Gemon] Green, as well. Just watching their film and Coach Clink, his reputation … he was at Kentucky and had Kelvin Joseph. I just felt like that was the best situation to develop as a corner.
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“I just want to develop the best way I can, absorb the most football knowledge that I can. We have a whole bunch of resources here at Michigan, so that’s really my main thing — just keep getting better as a football player.”
It’s been coming along nicely, per all reports. Wallace plays with swagger, and he’s confident in his ability. Though he played at a smaller school, he noted, he went against elite athletes at Florida State and Texas A&M, among other opponents. Now, he’ll face them every day in practice in addition to playing behind elite defensive linemen and linebackers.
“I love them, because at the end of the day, they’re making my job easier,” Wallace said. “Start with the D-line — we’ve got Mason [Graham] up there, D-Moore [Derrick], a whole bunch. I can’t name everybody. They get active. I love my front, and I love the linebackers. Junior [Colson], I was asking him a question and he’s always got an answer for me. Even with block destruction, he was helping me out, and I did a lot better today. So … I love those guys.”
They’re loving Wallace, too, knowing he could very well be a big piece in helping win a third straight Big Ten title.
