Johnathan Joseph attended Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina. As a senior he totaled 127 tackles and 7 interceptions. He scored four touchdowns on defense that season. He received all-region and all-state honors that season and was invited to play in the Shrine Bowl. He went on to play junior college ball at Coffeyville where he totaled 43 tackles, a sack, 3 interceptions and 1 touchdown, on his way to all-conference honors in 2003. He was recruited by Florida but he opted to stay close to home and attend the University of South Carolina instead. He earned a starting job immediately for the Gamecocks before breaking his foot in the Georgia game, effectively ending his season. He finished the season with just 3 tackles and 1 pass break-up. He returned in the spring of 2005 to be named the team’s “outstanding defensive back” in spring practices. He went on to have his best season in college this past season with 55 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 9 pass breakups on the year.

Johnathan Joseph has a good combination of size and athleticism for a cornerback. He has great speed, fluid hips and sure hands. He has proven to be effective in both man and zone coverages. He is a physical corner who will jam his receiver at the line and step up and support the run as well. He is a very good run defender and a solid tackler. Joseph lacks a great deal of experience against top competition, having only started one season since transferring to South Carolina from Coffeyville Junior College. Too often he will rely on his pure athleticism alone. He will get beat at times but he does have excellent recovery speed. He needs to refine his overall technique to be as effective at the professional level. Johnathan Joseph is still a bit raw, but he has a great deal of upside and should be a first day pick in the 2006 NFL draft.