This is Karl Joseph and this is the guy who has people talking late in spring football at WVU. At a time when and at a position where the defense clearly needed a player, Joseph has stepped forward as the one true freshman who has really made something of his opportunity … and he doesn’t understand why that surprises you.

Watch the film and see No. 8 slice into the backfield or angle through the blocking to knock people down and make impacting plays. Certainly you can begin to understand why he was regarded as one  of the nation’s best safety prospects and one  of Florida’s best players last season. Just don’t judge his game by his highlights.

“I’m very physical and that’s what a lot of coaches liked about me, but I played in the box a lot in high school and was used on the field to make plays,” he said. “I did more than just come downhill and hit somebody.”

It’s not easy convincing those just getting to know him. There are highlight clips online that show him running through opponents and playing in a way that might encourage other teams to stay away from him.

However, Joseph and his coaches didn’t allow that. He played close to the line of scrimmage in high school, either as a linebacker or a safety given permission to freelance, and developed a reputation.

He says it’s not entirely accurate.

“A lot of people don’t know I was recruited as a cornerback a whole lot,” Joseph said. “I’ve got pretty good coverage skills.”