S Rankings: A Closer Look At #1 S Brandon Joseph

With the off-season upon us we will be removing the players that have moved on to the NFL from our player rankings and re-ranking for the 2021 season. Before we jump into Brandon Joseph being ranked number one, here’s a few reminders about the rankings themselves:

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football S rankings here.

Northwestern safety, Brandon Joseph has shot up the rankings to take the number one spot heading into the 2021 season. Joseph red-shirted in 2019 but burst on the scene in 2020 as a play-maker in the Wildcats secondary. Joseph made big plays in the second level throughout the season and proved he was a rare talent at the safety position. He is an impact player who earned the top spot in our rankings with his breakthrough performance.

A Quick Rise To Stardom

Brandon Joseph was a three star recruit from Texas in the 2019 class. He played in just four games as a true freshman and made four tackles while using a red-shirt in his first season on campus. Without a lot of playing time or production, it was hard to know what to expect from Joseph in 2020, but the young safety impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a starting spot. Joseph used his red-shirt season to prepare himself for a bigger role and did not disappoint once he got on the field.

The 2020 season was Joseph’s opportunity to put the college football world on notice and he wasted little time doing that. He intercepted two passes in Northwestern’s second game of the season, a 21 – 20 win against Iowa. He followed that up with another two interception performance against Wisconsin three games later. Joseph became a leader for a Wildcat’s defense that was tops in the country in yards per attempt against and passer rating against. For the 2020 season, Joseph recorded 52 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 pass breakups and 6 interceptions over nine games.

Joseph’s Talents

The 6’1″ 192 lb Joseph does many things well at the safety position. He has excellent ball skills, showing good recognition and the quick hands needed to make a play. Joseph wins in contested situations with body control and concentration that allows him to make unreal plays. This was on display in the Big Ten Championship against Ohio State when he made a one handed interception while falling backwards against Garrett Wilson. Joseph doesn’t make interceptions because the ball is thrown right at him, he makes big plays on balls that most defensive backs cannot.

Joseph is good in coverage and is able to match-up with slot receivers effectively. He has a good combination of fluid athleticism and the instincts to anticipate where the route is going. Joseph’s speed and quickness make him a versatile safety who can cover receivers when asked to. He also has the height and length to match-up with bigger pass catching tight ends in coverage as well.

Though his play in coverage is excellent, Joseph is also an asset against the running game. He has a nose for the ball and is able to track plays well from his safety position and closes on the ball carrier in a hurry. He is a strong tackler who will deliver a big hit when the opportunity presents itself. Joseph is able to sift through traffic and get to the ball quickly to make plays for a minimal gain.

Brandon Joseph is an instinctual safety who is a play-maker against the pass and the run. He has good coverage ability and elite ball skills that make him dangerous for opposing offenses to test in the passing game. He is also able to play downhill and make big plays against the running attack as well. Joseph has all of the tools to be an elite safety and will only get better with experience.

Stepping Into a Leadership Role

Northwestern’s defense led the team to a bounce back season in 2020. Joseph excelled on the field during the Wildcats run to the Big Ten Championship Game but the defense featured an excellent group of leaders. Veteran leaders, Greg Newsome and Blake Gallagher have moved on to the NFL and leave a leadership void in the Northwestern defense. Joseph was excellent on the field in 2020 and will need step into that leadership void and help the defense transition into the 2021 season.

The Wildcats’ defense does return talented players at all three levels and has the potential to continue to excel. With Joseph back to lead a secondary that includes talented cornerbacks like AJ Hampton and Cameron Mitchell, the defense has a strong back line to build up from. The defensive back group, led by Joseph, will play a key role in the Northwestern defense continuing to lead the team to success.

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Northwestern Vs Michigan State image taken by Ryan Dickey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.