Josh Uche

Josh Uche was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (60th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

• Josh Uche was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (60th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

SEASONAL REVIEW

2023 (8/2)

• Played as a reserve linebacker and contributed on special teams for New England vs. Philadelphia (9/10). Recorded 1 tackle (1 solo) , 1 quarterback hurry and one sack that came in the end of the first quarter and led to an Eagles punt.
• Made his first start since the 2020 season vs. Miami (9/17) as a linebacker for New England. 
• Contributed to a defense unit that held the Jets to just 38 rushing yards. Played as a reserve linback at the New York Jets (9/24)
• Contributed to the Patriots defense as a reserve linebacker at Dallas (10/1). Extended the Patriots sack streak to 23 games with a 10-yard sack in the second quarter.
• Was inactive vs. Buffalo (10/22) due to injury.
• Was inactive at Miami (10/29) due to injury.
• Returned to action vs. Washington (11/5) after missing two games due to injury. 

2022 (15/0)

• Played in 15 games at linebacker and recorded career highs with 27 total tackles (23 solo, 4 assists), 11½ sacks for a loss of 49.5 yards and two forced fumbles.
• Was inactive due to injury at Cleveland (10/16) and vs. Chicago (10/24).
• All of his sacks occurred from Week 8 on. He tied with Nick Bosa and Haason Reddick for the NFL lead in sacks during that time frame.
• Was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 14 at Arizona (12/12) in the team's 27-13 win.
• Had two three-sack games and one two sack games with three sacks vs. Indianapolis (11/6), three sacks at Arizona (12/12) and two sacks vs. Buffalo (12/1).
• Registered a career-high three sacks vs. Indianapolis (11/6) after dropping Colts QB Sam Ehlinger for a 2-yard loss and an 8-yard loss in the second quarter and a 1-yard sack in the third quarter. All three of his sacks came on third down to force a punt, a field goal attempt that was missed and another punt.
• Had his second multi-sack game of the 2022 season vs. Buffalo (12/1) after a sack in the first quarter and forced fumble on sack in the second quarter.
• Had his second three-sack game of the 2022 season at Arizona (12/12). Andre Tippett (3 in 19856 and 3 in 1987) and Mike Vrabel (2 in 2007) are the only Patriots players with multiple 3-sack games in a season. He was the first Patriots player since Trey Flowers in 2016 to have back-to-back games with at least two sacks. Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.
• Sacked QB Derek Carr for a 5-yard loss in the fourth quarter at Las Vegas (12/18) for his 11th sack of the season. He now has six sacks in a three-game span, second most in team history. Uche had 2 sacks vs. Buffalo on Dec. 1, 3 sacks at Arizona on Dec. 12 and his 1 sack against the Raiders. Andre Tippett holds the team record with 7 sacks in a three-game span. Has registered 11 sacks in the last seven games. Since Week 8 of the season, he is the NFL leader in sacks with 11. Javon Hargrave of Philadelphia is second with 9 sacks. Part of the defensive unit that has recorded 48 sacks so far this season.

2021 (12/0, 1/0)

• Contributes as a reserve linebacker with limited snaps on special teams.
• Appeared as a key reserve linebacker in the season-opener vs. Miami (9/12).
• Recorded his second career sack on a third-down play late in the second half to hold Miami to a 48-yard field goal.
• Had two fourth quarter sacks at N.Y. Jets (9/19), his first two-sack game in the NFL.
• Inactive vs. New Orleans (9/26) due to injury (back).
• Recovered a fumble vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24) in the fourth quarter forced by DB Myles Bryant.
• Placed on injured reserve on 11/17.
• Activated off injured reserve on 12/25.
• Played limited snaps on both defense and special teams vs. Buffalo (12/26).
• Rotated in on defense vs. Jacksonville (1/2).
• Recorded two tackles in just five snaps of play at Miami (1/9).
• Played in his first playoff game in the Wild Card Round loss at Buffalo (1/15).

2020 (9/1)

• Played in nine games with one start and tallied nine tackles and one sack.
• Was inactive for the season opener vs. Miami (9/13) and at Seattle (9/20).
• Placed on IR before Week 3. Las Vegas (9/27).
• Was activated off IR the day before the game and made his NFL debut in a Week 8 loss at Buffalo after being inactive for the first two games of the season and then spending time on IR. Made on unassisted tackle and registered a hit on Bills QB Josh Allen.
• Played a limited role linebacker in a Week 9 win at the Jets (11/9).
• Registered his first career sack when he dropped Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson for a seven yard loss in the second quarter as part of a Week 10 win over the Ravens (11/15).
• Substituted in at linebacker in a Week 11 loss at Houston (11/22). Notched one unassisted tackle on a Deshaun Watson scramble on third down, forcing Houston to punt. NE scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
• Appeared in a limited role at linebacker as part of a Week 12 win vs. Arizona (11/29). Delivered a hit on Arizona QB Kyler Murray in the third quarter.
• Had three quarterback pressures against the Chargers in a Week 13 win at Los Angeles (12/6).
• Substituted in at linebacker and posted tow solo tackles in a Week 14 loss at the Rams (12/10).
• Was in the starting lineup for the first time in his NFL career as part of a Week 16 loss vs. Buffalo (12/26). Posted two tackles before being injured and not returning.
• Placed on IR prior to Week 17 vs. the Jets (1/3).

COLLEGE

• Josh Uche was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (60th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
• College
• Was a three-year letterman at Michigan.
• Earned 2019 All-Big Ten second team honors (coaches) and third-team accolades (media).
• 2019 defensive player of the year as voted on by his teammates.
• Appeared in 40 career games with nine starts at linebackers and recorded 56 tackles, 16½ sacks, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.
• Started nine games at linebacker and played in all 13 contests. Posted a career-best 35 tackles, 8½ sacks, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
• Earned second varsity letter and was All-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches and media) as a junior in 2018. Played in 12 games and registered 15 tackles, seven sacks and one pass breakup.
• Earned first varsity letter as a sophomore in 2017. Played in 10 games and saw action at linebacker in nine contests. Registered three tackles and one sack.

PERSONAL

• Attended the same high school as former U-M and NFL quarterback Brian Griese.
• Helped lead team to Florida Class 8A state championship game as a junior and senior.
• Tallied 50 tackles and 14 sacks with two forced fumbles as a senior.
• Notched 66 tackles and 10 sacks his junior year.
• Registered 52 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles as a sophomore.
• Enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, majoring in political science.

HONORS & AWARDS

• 2022 AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Wk. 14)