Michigan football announces addition of former UMass cornerback Josh Wallace
Michigan Wolverines football received a commitment from former UMass standout Josh Wallace — the No. 1 cornerback in the NCAA transfer portal at the time, per On3 — last week. Now, the program has officially announced his addition.
Per his Instagram, the graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining left the Washington D.C. area over the weekend and arrived in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines began the summer workout cycle earlier this month and are set to commence training camp August 1.
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Wallace is the ninth transfer Michigan has brought in this offseason. The Wolverines currently stand 23rd nationally on On3’s Team Transfer Portal Rankings, which factor in both incoming and outgoing transfers.
Wallace, who entered the portal May 25, chose Michigan over primary contenders Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. He visited all three schools during his short recruitment. Wallace also received offers from Penn State, Indiana, Michigan State, Oregon State and Iowa.
Wallace brings some much-needed experience to a Michigan cornerback group that doesn’t have a lot. Sophomore Will Johnson was a freshman All-American last season and is the most experienced of the group, with 14 games and 689 defensive snaps under his belt. The other top contenders for a starting spot, however, have played a combined 44 defensive snaps (graduate Mike Sainristil is expected to remain at nickel back).
Wallace played 2,197 defensive snaps in 39 games over four seasons with UMass. He totaled 140 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 24 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble.
The 6-0, 190-pounder has some natural connections with Michigan. UMass head coach Don Brown was the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator from 2016-20. Former U-M analyst Steve Casula is the team’s offensive coordinator, and outside linebackers coach Mike McCray is a former Wolverine captain. Additionally, UMass wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Ryan Partridge is the cousin of Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge, who’s now his primary recruiter.
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Wallace also played high school football and basketball at Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic alongside former Michigan offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi and former Michigan hoops center Hunter Dickinson, respectively.
Wallace is coming off an impressive 2022 season for UMass, which disappointed as a team with a 1-11 record. He ranked sixth on the squad with 41 tackles, adding 3 for loss, 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups.
Per PFF, he allowed 22 receptions for 381 yards and 2 touchdowns on 40 targets. His 71.2 PFF coverage grade ranked 117th among all cornerbacks nationally.
The Michigan cornerback was named second-team All-Independent by Pro Football Network in both 2022 and 2020.
The Bowie, Md., native racked up 53 tackles, 4 for loss and 1 sack as a junior in 2021, besting the team with 12 pass breakups. He had 13 tackles and a team-high 5 pass breakups in 2020, and posted 33 tackles and 1 pick in 2019.
