Former Illini Kerby Joseph has been a key defensive player for the highly competitive Detroit Lions. Joseph was selected by the Lions in the 2022 NFL draft and has played over thirty games. His ball-hawking skills and athleticism have been a game-changer for the up-and-coming Lions. Those same skills that made him a star at Illinois were on full display during the Monday night football game vs the Seattle Seahawks. Kerby Joseph was able to seal a Monday night victory with a jaw-dropping interception on Seahawks QB, Geno Smith.
Kerby Joseph finished the game with an impressive nine total tackles. In fact, head coach Dan Campbell gave the game ball to Joseph.
A meteoric rise
It was not long ago when Kerby Joseph was a backup wide receiver on a struggling Illinois football team. Joseph certainly seemed to be lost in between positions. However, Bret Bielema and former DC, Ryan Walters, found a way to channel Kerby’s athleticism and football instincts into the perfect position. Kerby’s one year with Bielema propelled him from backup wide receiver to a third-round NFL draft pick.
Now, Joseph is receiving national praise. NFL Sportscaster, Joe Buck, even said that “Kerby Joseph, [is] playing as well as any safety in the NFL right now.”