Pre-season award lists are running rampant all over the internet and sports websites. Recently the list for the pre-season Thorpe Award list came out. The Thorpe Award is given to the nation’s top defensive back. Eight players from the Big 12 were listed. Who was missing? WVU’s sophomore free safety Karl Joseph.
David Ubben, the Big 12 writer for ESPN.com, was surprised that Joseph wasn’t on this list. Ubben said, “West Virginia’s defensive issues last season were obvious, but sophomore safety Karl Joseph has a case as one of the Big 12’s best safeties and should be due for a huge year after topping 100 stops as a true freshman last season.”
Joseph tallied 76.0 solo tackles and 28.0 assisted tackles for 104 total tackles last season as a freshman. Yes, you read that correctly. As a freshman. He also had 1.0 sack, 6 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. Joseph finished tied for 5th in the Big 12 in total tackles. He was one of two defensive backs in the top five but the only safety. The only defensive back ahead of him was Tony Jefferson of Oklahoma, who went undrafted in this past year’s NFL Draft. Joseph was also the only freshman to appear in the top ten. Joseph also finished in the top five in forced fumbles in the conference.
Joseph has proven in just one season that he has what it takes to step up and be a leader for this defense, not only statistically but with leadership abilities on the field. On a lackluster defense, Joseph may stand out a little more, but he was undoubtedly snubbed from this list. I’m sure WVU fans are hoping that this puts a chip on his shoulder and that he’ll go out and make some noise and be on the list at the end of the season, hopefully on top.
Doubt me? I’ll leave you with this video. Enjoy.
