Recruitment

Kendall Joseph joined Clemson as part of the 2014 recruiting class that had Deshaun Watson and five linebackers (including himself). Joseph, a 3-star recruit from Belton, SC, would set himself apart from that group of linebacker recruits that included: Korie Rogers, Richard Yeargin, JD Davis, Judah Davis, and Jalen Williams.

2014-15

Kendall Joseph redshirted his freshman year before earning 63 snaps as the second-string middle linebacker playing behind BJ Goodson in 2015. The Tigers made an improbable run to 14-0 before falling to Alabama in the National Championship Game that year, but the best was yet to come for Joseph and the Tigers.

2016

Following the run to the title game, BJ Goodson was drafted by the NY Giants (where he’d become a starter after his rookie season). With Goodson off to the NFL, Kendall Joseph earned the starting job at middle linebacker as a redshirt sophomore. He excelled and was second on the team in tackles with 124. The Tigers went 11-1 before capturing their second straight ACC Championship, shutting out Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, and then earning a beautifully redemptive National Championship victory over Alabama. Joseph was named Clemson’s Most Improved Player of the defense for the season. Even still, the best was yet to come Joseph and the Tigers.

2017

With Ben Boulware graduating and Tre Lamar emerging as a great option at middle linebacker, Kendall Joseph moved from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker and didn’t skip a beat. His redshirt junior campaign started off in style as the Tigers defense made a statement against Auburn in the season opening 19-13 win.

The Tigers went 11-1 during the regular season and earned their second-straight trip to the ACC Championship, where Kendall Joseph intercepted a Malik Rosier pass and returned it 37 yards. Just two plays later, a 27-yard TD catch by Deon Cain would put the Tigers up 38-0, as the Tigers cruised to their second straight ACC Championship victory. Joseph was named co-defensive player of the game.

The season ended in heartache though, as they entered the playoff as the #1 seed, but got matched up with a well-rested and finally healthy Alabama squad. The defense kept the Tigers in the game, but eventually the offense’s struggles caused the defense to break and Alabama pulled away. Kendall Joseph was a co-defensive player of the game in the contest and was named third-team All-ACC for the season. Despite the accolades, he decided to wait on the NFL and return for his redshirt senior season.

2018

In 2018, the former three-star recruit became a three-year starter at Clemson and was named a permanent team captain. He tallied 4.0 sacks and was selected to the third team All-ACC list. He also earned All-ACC Academic honors.

The team went 12-0 as their defense, which ranked 2nd nationally in efficiency in 2017 (S&P+), remained elite (3rd in 2018), while the offense vastly improved (20th to 5th). The Tigers demolished Pittsburgh and Notre Dame in performances that showed dominance on both sides of the ball before facing Alabama yet again. Clemson’s defense stymied the Crimson Tide offense in the red zone helping the Tigers shock the country with a 44-16 blowout victory in Kendall Joseph’s final game.

Kendall Joseph wasn’t an elite five-star recruit, but came to Clemson and put in the work to develop into one of the best linebackers in the ACC. He earned team awards for dependability and unselfishness and was an NSCA Strength All-America nominee, an award given to athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. He’s a great example of a good kid making the most of his talents with the help of Clemson’s exceptional staff. He won four ACC Championships, two National Championships, a Most Improved Player Award (defense), two All-ACC (third team) selections, and Academic All-ACC honors. He is a great example of the player development and character selection that goes on at Clemson. We wish him the best of luck in April’s NFL draft, and in life beyond football.