Former UMass cornerback Josh Wallace commits to Michigan

UMass transfer cornerback Josh Wallace announced his commitment to Michigan in a Wednesday tweet.

A former three-star prospect from Bowie, Md., Wallace initially committed to a 2019 Massachusetts recruiting class that featured 20 enrollees and three transfers. He was a starter in all four of his seasons with the Minutemen, according to The Athletic's Michigan staff writer Austin Meek.

Wallace earned 140 total tackles, 28 deflected passes, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his time out east.

The cornerback played under former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown last season, Meek notes in his Wednesday article. The Minutemen finished the 2022 season with a dismal 1-11 overall record after their defense allowed 369.6 yards per game. They allowed 1.2 more yards per-contest than Texas and 0.8 fewer than Virginia Tech.

Wallace will only strengthen a Michigan defense that allowed 16.1 points per outing last season, good for fourth place in the Big Ten. He will bring experience to a secondary that features sophomore Will Johnson and junior Ja'Den McBurrows.

Johnson took second place on Michigan's roster in 2022 with three interceptions (defensive back Rod Moore led the squad with four) and picked off two passes against the Purdue Boilermakers in the Big Ten Championship Game. He also logged eight tackles (including seven solo) when the Wolverines took down the Ohio State Buckeyes in a 45-23 win at Ohio Stadium.

McBurrows may take a spot behind Wallace this year. But he may also finally have the chance to unleash his potential with Michigan's defense. He suffered an ACL injury in Dec. 2021 and didn’t play in a defensive snap last fall, according to 247Sports Michigan beat writer Zach Shaw.

“McBurrows, he’s finally got his chance,” Moore said in May, via The Michigan Insider. “I tell you, McBurrows is a real football player, athlete, he’s gonna make plays.

"He’s gonna be the guy that steps up this year."