Josh Metellus, state title winner at Flanagan and starter at Michigan, drafted by Vikings
Josh Metellus’ high school career ended with a Class 8A state football championship at Flanagan in 2015. Metellus’ college career ended with him serving as a starter for the Michigan Wolverines for three years after being just a three-star prospect.
His next quest: the National Football League.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Metellus in the sixth round — No. 205 overall — of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Metellus, a 5-11 and 209 pound safety out of Pembroke Pines, started 38 of his 47 games for the Wolverines. He recorded 187 career tackles with five interceptions and 21 defended passes in his college tenure and earned All-Big Ten second team honors as a junior.
“Plays downhill in run support,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his combine report on Metellus. “Technical tackler with high finishing rate. Fits gap with quick gather-and-strike talent. May offer positional versatility on the next level. Possesses balance and hips for short-area coverage duties. Foot twitch for transitions from coverage to close-out. Aggressive clawing at catch-point. Strike to jar football loose from receivers. Early recognition and response to play-action. Gets head around to find football downfield.”
Before making his way to Michigan, Metellus was a key cog as a senior for a Flanagan defense that held opponents to an average of 6.4 points per game and pitched six shutouts in 14 games on their way to a Class 8A state title in 2015. Metellus earned first-team All-County honors that season after racking up 56 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 4:57 PM.
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