The Dolphins’ newest pass rusher gives a nod to a franchise legend for helping to shape his game
‘ “Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi’ — Me
The Miami Dolphins‘ pass rush is welcoming plenty of new faces into the mix in 2026.
2024 first-round draft choice Chop Robinson will be joined by veterans Josh Uche, Robert Beal Jr., and David Ojabo. That’s just to start. Uche in particular is one that I’ll be rooting for. He’s originally from South Florida, which is a cool layer to add to his game. But it isn’t just the proximity to Miami growing up that’s worth noting. His game got a big boost from a former favorite of just about anyone who has rooted for the Dolphins over the last 20 years, too.
New Dolphins pass rusher Josh Uche proves how deep his South Florida roots go
“I used to watch Cam Wake. I swear, you can ask my pop warner coach. Even at Columbus, I was in this crazy four-point stance most of my career and it was because I started off watching Cam Wake get after the quarterback. Every Sunday after church, me and my dad would watch the Dolphins, and I would see what he would do and I’d try to go to practice and do the same exact thing. Whenever I talk to kids at my football camps I tell them, ‘Find a player you like, go to practice and try to do what you just saw them do.’ For me, it was Cam Wake. That crazy four-point stance and the way he’d just get off the ball.”
— New Dolphins pass rusher Josh Uche
Forgive me…I’m just taking a stroll down memory lane. There aren’t too many fond memories of the early 2010 Miami Dolphins teams, who were often stuck in purgatory. But Cameron Wake? You’re talking my language, Josh.
Wake posted 98 sacks as a member of the franchise from 2009 through 2018 and made five Pro Bowls despite not joining the Dolphins until his age 27 season. He was, comfortably, my favorite thing about many versions of the Dolphins. A certified badass.
To hear Uche heap praise on Wake and talk about his formative years as a player being molded by him? That’s a super cool subplot to a season that’s going to be all about new beginnings. The irony isn’t lost on me that a new beginning for this franchise is going to be welcomed by a new face rushing the passer whose skills were forged and molded by one of the last great mainstays of the team.
I wouldn’t possibly be selfish enough to think that Uche will play to that standard — that’d be a tough task indeed. But after hearing him talk about his youth and Wake’s impact on his game, I know I’ll be pulling for him to play as close to it as he possibly can.
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