The Michigan Wolverines are expected to compete for a national championship in 2023 under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines’ roster is stacked, but still a work in progress, as evidenced by the latest transfer portal commitment.
On Wednesday, it was announced that former University of Massachusetts defensive back Josh Wallace, one of the top portal targets, committed to Michigan.
Wallace announced his commitment at 9 a.m. to the delight of Wolverines fans everywhere.
Committed #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/JIU7o8Sor2
— Josh Wallace🏝 (@Joshwallace_12) June 7, 2023
Wallace, a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back from Bowie, MD, played in 12 games last season. He hails from DeMatha High School in Maryland, the same school as former Michigan basketball star Hunter Dickinson.
The UMass Minutemen defensive back had 41 tackles last season along with three tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and eight pass breakups.
“Happy for you, young man. #GoBlue,” wrote one fan on Twitter. “Turn me up Josh,” another fan wrote while including a picture of former Michigan star Jabrill Peppers.
Wallace is a two-time team captain and 2023 Pro Football Network All-Independent team honors as a Second Team performer.
He is expected to help bolster a Michigan secondary led by second-year star Will Johnson, graduate student Mike Sainristil and others. The Wolverines finished 20th in the NCAA in pass yards allowed last season. The secondary struggled mightily at times against TCU in the College Football Playoff last season in a 51-45 loss.
The hope for Harbaugh’s Wolverines is that Wallace can add to the depth that is already present on Jesse Minter’s defense. Michigan opens the 2023 season at home against the East Carolina Pirates on September 2.
The Pirates had a strong passing attack in 2022 led by quarterback Holton Ahlers, who is now with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. Six-foot-five quarterback Mason Garcia is the expected starter for the Pirates heading into the 2023 season.
Michigan is expected to start Heisman Trophy and All-Big Ten candidate J.J. McCarthy, a former five-star prospect. McCarthy, from La Grange Park, Illinois, is expected to pass even more this season according to Harbaugh.
The Wolverines passed the ball on just 39% of all plays last season, but Harbaugh said he would like to see a 50/50 split in 2023.
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