Josh Metellus
refer to caption
Metellus with the Vikings in 2022
No. 44 – Minnesota Vikings
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1998-01-21) January 21, 1998
North Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:Charles W. Flanagan
(Pembroke Pines, Florida)
College:Michigan (2016–2019)
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 6 / Pick: 205
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2023
Total tackles:106
Interceptions:2
Interception yards:43
Pass deflections:8
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Sacks:1.0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Joshua Metellus (born January 21, 1998) is an American football utility player who is listed as a safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines.

College career

Metellus (#14) playing for Michigan in 2017.

After playing at Charles W. Flanagan High School, Metellus committed to Michigan on June 17, 2015, choosing the Wolverines over Colorado, Florida International, Middle Tennessee State and others.[1] He had previously committed to Georgia Southern, but switched to Michigan after attending an affiliate camp, and Flanagan teammate Devin Bush Jr. later signed with Michigan as well.[2]

Metellus saw some action as a backup during his true freshman season at Michigan, and garnered honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference during his sophomore season on the strength of three games started.[3]

After practicing at both free safety and strong safety in the spring,[4] his senior season included duties as an edge cover in the running game and a roaming safety in the passing game.[5] Metellus was named a team captain his senior season, and participated in the 2020 Senior Bowl and 2020 NFL Combine.[6]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)		 209 lb
(95 kg)		 32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m)		 10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		4.55 s1.60 s2.66 s4.40 s6.94 s36.5 in
(0.93 m)		10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7][8]

Metellus was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.[9] He was waived by the Vikings during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[10][11] He was promoted to the active roster on September 18, 2020.[12]

Metellus made his first career start in Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Detroit Lions, where he recorded his first career interception off Jared Goff in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in the 28–24 win.[13]

On September 7, 2023, Metellus signed a two-year contract extension with the Vikings.[14][15] During the 2023 season, he became notable for his versatility within Brian Flores' defense, playing in twelve different defensive positions through Week 14.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Josh Metellus Recruit Interests". 247Sports. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  2. ↑ Brugler, Dane (April 7, 2020). The Athletic's 2020 NFL Draft Guide (PDF). The Athletic. p. 233. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  3. ↑ "NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Josh Metellus". NFL.com. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  4. ↑ Sang, Orion (August 11, 2019). "Michigan elder statesman Josh Metellus has insight. 'People look up to me'". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sears, Ethan (November 2, 2019). "As Michigan shuts down Maryland, Josh Metellus stands at the center of everything". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  6. ↑ Harrington, Lynn (9 February 2020). "Josh Metellus excited about journey to the NFL". Stay Alive in Power 5. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Josh Metellus Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ "2020 Draft Scout Josh Metellus, Michigan NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ "NFL Draft 2020: Vikings take Michigan S Josh Metellus in sixth round". MLive. April 25, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  10. ↑ Peters, Craig; Smith, Eric (September 5, 2020). "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster". Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Vikings Claim LB Ryan Connelly, Add 13 Players To Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 6, 2020.
  12. ↑ Smith, Eric (September 18, 2020). "Vikings Add Jones & Metellus to 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com.
  13. ↑ "Metellus Caps 1st Vikings Start with 1st Career Interception". www.vikings.com. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  14. ↑ "Vikings Sign Josh Metellus to 2-Year Extension". Vikings.com. September 7, 2023.
  15. ↑ Alper, Josh (September 7, 2023). "Josh Metellus agrees to two-year extension with Vikings". NBCSports.com.
  16. ↑ Brown, Brandon (December 11, 2023). "Is Josh Metellus The Most Versatile Player In The NFL?". SI.com.
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