INDIANAPOLIS – Josh Uche spent the past four years wearing maize and blue at Michigan. He agrees with a prominent draft analyst’s opinion that he also would look good in black and gold.
Uche, a 21-year-old outside linebacker, let out a wide smile Thursday at the NFL Combine when he was informed that ESPN’s Mel Kiper said he “looks like a Steeler.”
“That’s a compliment, man,” Uche said. “Who wouldn’t want to play for an amazing organization like them, get to play with my boy (Devin) Bush and wreak havoc?”
One year after the Steelers moved up 10 spots in the first round to take Michigan’s Bush with the No. 10 overall pick, they are not expected to use their No. 49 overall pick on a pass rusher. That thinking could change, however, if the Steelers unexpectedly don’t use the franchise tag on outside linebacker Bud Dupree.
General manager Kevin Colbert said the outside linebacker class in 2020 is “unusually strong.”
Uche said he met informally with the Steelers this week, but he won’t work out because of a hamstring injury he sustained at the Senior Bowl.
“We talked about Devin Bush a little bit,” Uche said, “his style of play, and also what they look for out of their linebackers and what they look for in the future.”
Uche started only nine games — all as a senior — in his four years at Michigan, but he led the Wolverines with 8.5 sacks in 2019.
Kiper projects Uche to be picked in the second round, although he said the 6-foot-1, 245-pound linebacker’s showing at the Senior Bowl could boost his draft stock.
“With the pass-rush ability that he has, the bend off the edge … I wouldn’t be shocked if he went late first because pass-rushers go,” Kiper said. “I’d say second. At worst, third.”
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