The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1407083
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 ■ 33 Joseph had become much more indepen- dent since moving to the U.S. on his own at age 15, and he was single-handedly tak- ing on the burden of weighing his options. There was a growing voice subconsciously telling him to seek help. "Something inside me told me, 'You know what, Daniel? Go ask your pops,'" he re- called. "He's a man of God, and he's always had my best interests at heart. So I asked my pops to pray about what school he wanted me to go to between JMU and NC State." Joseph's father agreed, and the next night he had a dream that he felt was sending him the message of clarity he would pass along to his son. Two tunnels were presented in the dream. The first was dark. The second was illumi- nated, however, and the light was red. "That meant NC State," Joseph explained. There was no second-guessing after that. Joseph called Gibson and head coach Dave Doeren to let them know he was on his way to Raleigh. So far, that decision has paid off. Joseph produced 6.5 sacks in 2020, a mark that tied for sixth in the ACC last season and more than doubled his previous single-season best. Other than his own hard work, the Wolf- pack pass rusher credits strength and con- ditioning coordinator Dantonio "Thunder" Burnette the most for his improved produc- tion. Joseph says Burnette has helped him get in the best shape of his life, and he also has a special relationship with the NC State staffer off the field. "I didn't really know much about his work until I got here," Joseph said. "I knew about guys like [former NCSU standout de- fensive linemen] Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill, all those notable guys that they had in 2017, but I hadn't heard about Thunder Dan, the man. "I'm really, really, blessed to have been introduced to a man like that. I look at him like he's my second father because he's that good at what he does, and he cares like no other. He's more than a coach or a strength trainer, he's a father figure and a mentor. I love that man." After a breakout season in the ACC last fall, Joseph was chosen by the British Co- lumbia Lions with the fourth overall pick of the 2021 CFL Draft. The accomplishment was a moment of happiness for Joseph, but it doesn't make him content. Instead, he decided to take advantage of the free year of eligibility the NCAA granted to athletes last season and will re- turn for one last college campaign. Individu- ally, his goal is no secret. Joseph is working to build his draft stock with the hope of making it to the NFL. "I have much bigger aspirations and high expectations for myself," Joseph said. "Just because you meet one success or one achievement, you should never be relaxed. The moment you stop learning, the mo- ment you take that backseat, that's when you stunt your growth or shoot yourself in the foot. Getting drafted in the CFL didn't make me more comfortable or relaxed, be- cause I know that no growth occurs in the comfort zone. "I started playing football so late com- pared to everyone else. I know I have a lot to catch up on, in terms of years and just a deeper understanding of the strategy in football. Getting drafted in the CFL is not anything that's going to make me want to sit back and relax because I've made it. In all honesty, I really haven't. I still have a lot to prove." Joseph has his mind on more than just individual goals. He's also bullish about what the Pack could accomplish on the field this fall. He's one of 10 returning starters on a defense that seemed to be hitting its stride in the latter part of the 2020 campaign under Gibson, who entered his first year as the Wolfpack's sole defensive coordinator last September. Like Joseph's NFL aspirations, NC State's collective mission is no secret. The Wolfpack wants to win the ACC Champion- ship, something the program hasn't accom- plished since 1979. "I'm here, but the focus shouldn't be on me, it should be on the whole team, the whole program," Joseph said. "At the end of the day, sit back and watch, let's put it like that." ■ " Just because you meet one success or one achievement, you should never be relaxed. The moment you stop learning, the moment you take that backseat, that's when you stunt your growth or shoot yourself in the foot. … No growth occurs in the comfort zone. " Joseph Joseph's 6.5 sacks in 2020 are tied for second-most among returning ACC defenders. PHOTO BY ETHAN HYMAN, THE NEWS & OBSERVER/ COURTESY ACC MEDIA