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Michigan Football: Studs and duds from Wolverines’ 2019 season

By Dante Pryor

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 28: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a first quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 28: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a first quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Nico Collins #4 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the rain while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Nico Collins #4 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the rain while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Studs

Josh Metellus

Safety is an important position in Don Brown’s defensive scheme. He likes safeties who are physical enough to come downhill and support the run while being athletic enough to cover the slot or deep middle when need be — that was Josh Metellus this season. Metellus was solid against the run with four tackles for loss and good against the pass with two interceptions and five passes defended.

Most importantly, he was the heart and soul of the defense this season for Michigan. This was a Michigan that was good but not dominant like Wolverine defenses in previous seasons. Without Metellus, they might have been worse.

Josh Uche

The other defensive stud named Josh was just as important to the Wolverines’ defense as Metellus. Josh Uche led the Wolverines in sacks (7.5) and was second on the team in tackles for loss (10.5). They needed every one of those sacks this season as well — the other three starting linebackers had nine sacks combined.

In their scheme, the outside linebackers are asked to get to the quarterback. Their other outside linebacker, Khaleke Hudson, led the Wolverines in tackles, but only had 1.5 sacks.

Nico Collins

The Wolverines should have nicknamed Nico Collins “Mr. Big Play”. In a season where there weren’t many explosive plays on offense, Collins was second the team in receiving yards (729) and touchdown receptions (7). There weren’t many big plays going around Ann Arbor this season, but when quarterback Shea Patterson wanted to go down the field this year, he looked for Collins quite often.

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