Temple University Athletics
Alex Joseph: Tough as a Python
9.4.09 | Football
Gameday Feature Story
by Cathy Bongiovi, Athletic Communications
If Alex Joseph's father Mitchell had his way, his son would be preparing to play for the Philadelphia Union next spring, the city's new Major League Soccer team.
However, the younger Joseph will be suiting up at linebacker for the Temple Owls instead.
“It actually happened by accident,” Joseph said of his introduction to football. “In the second grade, my dad signed me up for football, thinking it was really soccer. So I went to the first practice in shin guards and the mini-shorts, and it was embarrassing. That's how I started my football career.”
Now a senior for the Owls, the 6-2, 235-lb. Connecticut native is ready for his final season in the Cherry and White. He is a preseason All-MAC selection by Phil Steele's College Football.
But football wasn't his initial calling from the university.
“I came to Temple during my sophomore year of high school on an academic trip with my summer enrichment program named Horizons,” he explained. “I liked the environment; the school is great … very diverse. I really didn't expect to come to Temple, but from there, I just fell in love with Temple.”
“One of my favorite animals is the python, the anaconda,” Joseph said. “I like those big animals, because they're quick, and they're strong. Once they grab you, you're done. That's where my play is at. Once I get a hold of you, I'm really not going to let go.”
Joseph's tough play on the field hasn't gone unnoticed. Last fall he earned third-team All-MAC honors from Phil Steele. The recipient of the 2008 Dr. Arthur N. Cook Most Courageous Athlete Award, Joseph was named the most improved special teams player following 2008 spring drills.
A three-time letterwinner and two-year starter, Joseph started 10 games last fall at middle linebacker. He finished second among the TU defenders with 87 tackles, including 46 solo takedowns. He also had 3.5 sacks, four break-ups, and a forced fumble. At Navy, Joseph led all defenders with 13 tackles, including a career-high nine solo takedowns.
“Alex Joseph has been through an amazing transformation,” defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio said. “He's gone from a freshman who had never played the linebacker position to understanding the mechanics and fundamentals of the position. He's an excellent attacker. He can shed blocks. He's good in pass coverage, and he has confidence running our defense. We're expecting big things out of Alex this year. It has been an amazing transformation to see him grow from a freshman into a senior.”
For his final season, Joseph will wear a different jersey number. After three seasons in #38, he will sport #4 this fall.
“The single-digit numbers on defense are for the tougher guys, as determined by the coaches,” Joseph said. “Guys were getting phone calls from their positions coaches, asking if they wanted to change their numbers. They ranked certain guys. Some guys didn't want to change their numbers, and some guys did. Most guys did change their numbers. I happened to get 4, which was my high school number. I was getting used to 38, but I feel more comfortable with 4.”
Toughness has been a part of Joseph's life since he was a child. The fourth of five sons, he credits his four brothers with making him tougher.
“They beat me up a lot when I was younger,” Joseph said. “Football taught me to take out my aggression on the football field rather than on my brothers.”
Sharing the same last name, Joseph is constantly asked if he's related to twin teammates and fellow Connecticut natives Elisha and Elijah Joseph.
“No. We know each other, and we click together, but we're really not related,” Joseph said. “We played in the All-Star game together in high school, so that's how we had a connection before we got to Temple. When I found out they were coming to Temple, I got excited.”
With his final season in front of him, Joseph is looking ahead to the future. The criminal justice major will graduate in May.
“I plan to join the police force for a little while then I want to work under S.W.A.T.,” he shared. “I actually don't know where, but I know I have to serve some time in the police force in order to enroll in S.W.A.T. That's my plan.”
Before then, Joseph and his fellow seniors have some work to do.
“Alex has matured so much, just loving the game of football, understanding it more, working with the coaches, just being a leader and being vocal,” said senior NT Andre Neblett. “He's one of those guys we can look to as a leader.”
As members of Al Golden's first recruiting class, the seniors have a united goal.
“We want to give Temple University a tradition,” Neblett added. “There has never been a (football) tradition here. We want to start the tradition here and keep it going and pass it on to the next generation and to the next generation.”
“I'm really excited for this season,” Joseph said. “We're going to take it one game at a time.”
Opponents should beware: watch out for snakes.
