Kerby Joseph Explained

Kerby Joseph
Current Team:Detroit Lions
Number:31
Position:Safety
Birth Date:14 November 2000
Birth Place:Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:203
High School:Jones
(Orlando, Florida)
College:Illinois (2018–2021)
Draftyear:2022
Draftround:3
Draftpick:97
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:164
Statlabel2:Forced fumbles
Statvalue2:2
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:19
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:8
Pfr:JoseKe03

Kerby Joseph (born November 14, 2000) is an American football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Illinois.

Early years

Joseph grew up in Orlando, Florida and attended Jones High School.[1] As a senior, he had four interceptions and seven tackles for loss at cornerback and also caught five touchdown receptions as a wide receiver.[2] Joseph was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Illinois over offers from Mississippi State, Syracuse, South Florida and Florida Atlantic.[3] He is of Haitian descent.[4]

College career

Joseph played mostly as a reserve defensive back and on special teams in his first two seasons at Illinois.[5] He was named a starter going into his junior year and recorded 19 tackles in the Illini's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.[6] Joseph was named first-team All-Big Ten Conference in 2021 after finishing the season with 57 tackles, one sack, and three fumble recoveries while also intercepting five passes.[7] After the end of the season, Joseph declared that he would be entering the 2022 NFL draft.[8] After the conclusion of his college career, Joseph was invited to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl.[9]

Professional career

Joseph was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.[10] [11]

In Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, Joseph had 10 tackles, and intercepted quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice in the 15–9 win, earning him National Football Conference (NFC) Defensive Player of the Week as a result of his performance. Joseph was the first Lions rookie to win the award in franchise history.[12] [13]

Joseph won the Pro Bowl Fan Vote for NFC Safeties as a rookie,[14] but was ultimately not selected to the game due to the NFL's recent change in rules where the Fan Vote only constituted one third of the new selection process.

In Week 18, Joseph became the first player in NFL history to intercept Aaron Rodgers three times in a season, as the Lions knocked the Packers out of playoff contention.[15] Joseph's interception was Rodgers' last throw as a Packer, as he would be traded to the New York Jets the following offseason.[16]

Joseph was named First-Team All Rookie by a number of publications, including The Athletic.[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Good . Gavin . October 2, 2021 . Illinois Game Day Q&A: Kerby Joseph . January 27, 2022 . The News-Gazette.
  2. Web site: December 12, 2017 . Orlando Jones High CB Kerby Joseph commits to Illinois . January 26, 2022 . Orlando Sentinel.
  3. Web site: Werner . Jeremy . December 12, 2017 . Florida CB Kerby Joseph a soft commit for Illini . January 27, 2022 . 247Sports.com.
  4. Web site: Austin . Kyle . April 30, 2022 . 5 things to know about Detroit Lions third-round pick Kerby Joseph . 2024-07-01 . mlive.
  5. Web site: Boyd . James . September 16, 2021 . Illinois' Kerby Joseph 'goes hard all the time' on special teams . January 27, 2022 . The Pantagraph.
  6. Web site: Kissack . Tristen . Cohn . Stephen . December 12, 2021 . Kerby Joseph declares for 2022 NFL Draft . January 27, 2022 . TheChampaignRoom.com . SB Nation.
  7. Web site: Benson . Jim . November 30, 2021 . Media names Illini safety Kerby Joseph to all-Big Ten first team on defense . January 27, 2022 . The Pantagraph.
  8. Web site: Wierda . Marlee . December 12, 2021 . Kerby Joseph declares for NFL Draft . January 26, 2022 . WCIA.com.
  9. Web site: Brugler . Dane . January 27, 2022 . Senior Bowl springboard: Illinois S Kerby Joseph and 15 other NFL prospects looking to ascend in Mobile . January 27, 2022 . The Athletic.
  10. Web site: Twentyman . Tim . April 29, 2022 . Lions draft safety Kerby Joseph . February 11, 2023 . DetroitLions.com.
  11. Web site: Raven . Benjamin . April 30, 2022 . New Lions S Kerby Joseph felt family-like connection with staff during pre-draft process . May 3, 2022 . MLive.com.
  12. Web site: Cannon . Morgan . November 9, 2022 . Lions rookie film breakdown: Kerby Joseph shines vs. Packers . November 13, 2022 . Pride Of Detroit . en.
  13. Web site: Gordon . Grant . November 9, 2022 . Bears QB Justin Fields, Bengals RB Joe Mixon lead Players of the Week . November 13, 2022 . NFL.com.
  14. Web site: Risdon . Jeff . December 19, 2022 . Kerby Joseph got the most fan votes for the Pro Bowl of any NFC safety . February 1, 2023 . Lions Wire . en-US.
  15. Web site: Teape . Kenneth . January 9, 2023 . Lions' Kerby Joseph Is First Player Ever To Accomplish This Feat . February 1, 2023 . Yardbarker . en.
  16. Web site: Demovsky . Rob . April 24, 2023 . Sources: Packers trade Aaron Rodgers to Jets for multiple picks . April 24, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
  17. Web site: January 12, 2023 . NFL All-Rookie Team: Which players from the 2022 draft class starred in Year 1? . February 1, 2023 . The Athletic . en.