Gators freshman linebacker Vosean Joseph introduced himself to LSU quarterback Danny Etling with a big hit on Nov. 19. (Photo: David Hurst/For UAA Communications)
Gators Spotlight: Linebacker Vosean Joseph
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
The freshman from Miami is responsible for one of the most important plays of season.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Veteran play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger, calling the Florida-LSU game for the SEC Network, summed up the collision between LSU quarterback Danny Etling and Gators linebacker Vosean Joseph like this on Nov. 19: "And Etling is smacked. Out of bounds by Joseph, a freshman from Miami, No. 11. And I do mean smacked."
Musburger knows smacked when he sees it.
Facing second-and-goal from Florida's 3, Etling rolled to his right looking to throw a pass to Leonard Fournette out of the backfield. However, Fournette slipped and Florida defensive Jordan Sherit chased Etling toward the sideline.
Etling got around Sherit but as he neared the goal line, Joseph blasted onto the scene and delivered a hit that sent Etling flying to prevent a touchdown. He landed on his backside out of bounds as Joseph stood straight as a flagpole.
Two plays later, LSU botched a field goal and Florida came back to win and clinch its second SEC East title in a row. The play was not only Joseph's most significant of the season, but one of the most important for the Gators.
As the Gators prepare to face Iowa in the Outback Bowl, Joseph is one of the newcomers that has an opportunity to cap his freshman season with a tone-setting performance heading into the offseason. He has appeared in all 12 games but prior to a rash of injuries that sidelined starting linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis, most of Joseph's time came on special teams.
He has only seven tackles heading into the Outback Bowl but has impressed his teammates with his potential.
"I just like the way he plays, for some reason. Once he really understands the defense and gets it all, once it comes together for him, man, he's going to be a special player,'' junior cornerback Teez Tabor said. "Physical, physical, physical. You know, that's what you want out of a linebacker, to be real physical."
The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Joseph arrived at UF from Norland High in Miami, the same school that produced Gators assistant coach Randy Shannon. He garnered interest from several other top programs, including Alabama.
The Gators are glad he stuck to his commitment because they see a lot of upside.
"Here's the deal about Vo, he's done a great job on special teams, as well," Gators coach Jim McElwain said. "That's where you kind of earn your stripes a little bit. He's a guy that can cover and run, and yet is physical enough to handle when teams are trying to beat on you with those inside runs."
Joseph is part of a young trio with Kylan Johnson and David Reese that looks capable of providing strong play at linebacker with Davis' departure and the uncertainty surrounding Anzalone, a fourth-year junior who is eligible for the NFL Draft.
Right now the key for Joseph is more experience. The Outback Bowl offers a final opportunity in his first season.
"His understanding of how to play [can improve],'' McElwain said. "Sometimes he still runs through gaps and doesn't quite understand he doesn't have the outside gap and somebody has the inside gap. You'd rather have to dial him back than dial him up. He's one of those players."
Musburger knows smacked when he sees it.
Facing second-and-goal from Florida's 3, Etling rolled to his right looking to throw a pass to Leonard Fournette out of the backfield. However, Fournette slipped and Florida defensive Jordan Sherit chased Etling toward the sideline.Etling got around Sherit but as he neared the goal line, Joseph blasted onto the scene and delivered a hit that sent Etling flying to prevent a touchdown. He landed on his backside out of bounds as Joseph stood straight as a flagpole.
Two plays later, LSU botched a field goal and Florida came back to win and clinch its second SEC East title in a row. The play was not only Joseph's most significant of the season, but one of the most important for the Gators.
As the Gators prepare to face Iowa in the Outback Bowl, Joseph is one of the newcomers that has an opportunity to cap his freshman season with a tone-setting performance heading into the offseason. He has appeared in all 12 games but prior to a rash of injuries that sidelined starting linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis, most of Joseph's time came on special teams.
He has only seven tackles heading into the Outback Bowl but has impressed his teammates with his potential.
"I just like the way he plays, for some reason. Once he really understands the defense and gets it all, once it comes together for him, man, he's going to be a special player,'' junior cornerback Teez Tabor said. "Physical, physical, physical. You know, that's what you want out of a linebacker, to be real physical."
The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Joseph arrived at UF from Norland High in Miami, the same school that produced Gators assistant coach Randy Shannon. He garnered interest from several other top programs, including Alabama.
The Gators are glad he stuck to his commitment because they see a lot of upside.
"Here's the deal about Vo, he's done a great job on special teams, as well," Gators coach Jim McElwain said. "That's where you kind of earn your stripes a little bit. He's a guy that can cover and run, and yet is physical enough to handle when teams are trying to beat on you with those inside runs."
Joseph is part of a young trio with Kylan Johnson and David Reese that looks capable of providing strong play at linebacker with Davis' departure and the uncertainty surrounding Anzalone, a fourth-year junior who is eligible for the NFL Draft.
Right now the key for Joseph is more experience. The Outback Bowl offers a final opportunity in his first season.
"His understanding of how to play [can improve],'' McElwain said. "Sometimes he still runs through gaps and doesn't quite understand he doesn't have the outside gap and somebody has the inside gap. You'd rather have to dial him back than dial him up. He's one of those players."
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