Brandon Joseph Needs Big 2023 NFL Scouting Combine Performance To Recapture Momentum

In this week’s 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, 319 players will be flocking to Indianapolis for an opportunity to impress NFL evaluators. Former Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph will be one of the four Irish standouts who will be looking to wow with their combinations of athleticism, upside and character.

It has been an interesting road for Joseph, who isn’t far removed from being considered one of the best ball hawks in college football.

In Joseph’s one season with the Irish program, the talented defender collected 30 total tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in ten games. Joseph returned that lone interception 29 yards for a touchdown against Syracuse on the game's first series.

Joseph was also the team’s main punt returner during the season. He averaged 9.9 yards per return, which ranked 12th nationally.

The Texas native spent his previous three seasons as a part of the Wildcat program before transferring to Notre Dame for the 2022 season. After redshirting his first season in 2019 with the Wildcats, Joseph would play in 20 games over his next two seasons, selected as an All-Big Ten selection in both years. He was named a team captain during the 2021 season.

In total, Joseph recorded 159 total tackles, 10 interceptions and seven more pass breakups. His best season came in 2020, where he intercepted six passes in the Big Ten shortened season and was named as an All-American.

Joseph heads into the event with some question marks after uneven performances over the last two years. This event will be a huge indicator for where Joseph will hear his name called come April.

CURRENT PROJECTION

The projections for Joseph are all over the place. The top 64 pick projection that once seemed reasonable is long gone. The more realistic landing spot is someone early to mid on Day Three (rounds four through seven) of the 2023 NFL Draft.

It’s possible that Joseph hears his name it’s early as the fourth round but it is also possible that he falls more toward the end of the final day. If he doesn’t test well and has a less than ideal remaining portion of his draft process, it wouldn’t be shocking if Joseph doesn’t get selected at all.

Right now, it is just hard to depend on Joseph. He’s a talented player but the film has just not been good recently.

WHAT’S ON THE LINE AT THE COMBINE?

On film, Joseph does his best work coming from depth as a true free safety. With that type of profile, athleticism is a must. In order to demonstrate and verify his full impact, Joseph must test well all around.

Here are some target numbers that Joseph will be shooting for this week.

40-Yard Dash: 4.58 seconds or better

Vertical Jump: 36 inches or higher

Broad Jump: 10’4” or better

3-Cone Drill: 6.85 seconds or better

Short Shuttle: 4.20 seconds or better

Bench Press: 15 reps or better

NEXT STEP

It’s no secret that Joseph’s last two years, one at Northeastern and the other at Notre Dame, weren’t nearly as good as his 2020 season as a redshirt freshman. During that season, Joseph had the looks of a future first round selection.

With such uneven play, every part of the draft process is paramount for the former Northwestern star. After the combine, the biggest element of the next month and a half will be his chance to sit down with NFL teams.

He will have a lot of tough questions thrown at him. What happened in your final two years? Why weren’t you as productive or consistent? Why didn’t you play in the bowl game?

Those are some of the questions that will be asked of Joseph, and they should be. NFL teams will have to get themselves comfortable with Joseph, who is still talented but not nearly close to a sure thing.

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