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Northwestern DB Brandon Joseph not backing down from bigger expectations after incredible 2020 season
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Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph has all the makings of an elite defensive back, and the world has taken notice as the Wildcats safety recently won the vote as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the 2021 cleveland.com Preseason B1G Poll.
But the personal accolades aren’t what is on the star safety’s radar — Joseph has his eye on the big prize, that being a B1G Championship.
“I’m trying to be even better this season and we’re trying to win the Big Ten this year” — Brandon Joseph on what he does for an encore after last season.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 9, 2021
During Joseph’s redshirt freshman season, he pulled in 6 interceptions in the nine games in 2020 and totaled 52 tackles (28 solos) with 8 pass deflections. His play has resulted in his name being found on several Preseason All-American lists, as well as some NFL Mock Drafts. The hype surrounding Joseph is more than any Northwestern player has seen in years, possibly since his head coach was on the field in Evanston.
Unlike last season, it’ll be no surprise to see Joseph put on a defensive display for the Wildcats. And with the focus on finding the way back to Indianapolis for a B1G title expect to see quite a show.
Some other comments Joseph made about the upcoming season were released this afternoon on the Inside NU Twitter feed.
Brandon Joseph says the team will be going into the Michigan State game “with a vengeance.”
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 9, 2021
Brandon Joseph says that Coach O’Neill has told him that all he has to do to make a play is “be the smartest player on the field twice a game.”
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 9, 2021
Joseph credits his teammates and the play call for allowing him to make that interception against Ohio State.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 9, 2021
The Wildcats start the 2021 season Sept. 3 against Michigan State.
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.