Kelvin Joseph (SEC Photo)
With one game to go in the regular season, Kelvin Joseph opted out of the season at Kentucky and also did not play in the bowl game. Yet the cornerback has been projected as a potential first-round draft pick in some NFL mock drafts going into today’s Pro Day at Kentucky.
He had 25 tackles in nine games and a team-high four interceptions, third-most in the Southeastern Conference. He returned one pick 41 yards for a score at Tennessee.
Joseph and UK had not really said why he chose not to play the final two games before he explained his decision Tuesday.
“It was a decision for me, my family, Christ, and coach (Mark Stoops). We felt it was the best decision for me, so we followed through on that,” Joseph said.
He said NFL teams want to know about the transformation when he transferred from LSU after one year to his one season at Kentucky. He said he was “thankful” for both experiences he has had to prepare him to play in the NFL because it made him a better person, player and teammate.
At Kentucky, he said he became more a “student of the game” with extra film work to prepare him for games.
What about being listed as a possible first-round pick on some mock drafts?
“It’s a blessing to be listed as a top prospect in this process knowing there are a lot of players in this process along with me,” Joseph said. “I have talked to a lot of teams with a lot of good feedback. I am just waiting to see what happens.”
He’s not lost the swag he had at Kentucky and said NFL teams like the pride and swag he has.
“Just flying around and making plays. Teams want somebody that can come in and help you win games and get to the Super Bowl,” Joseph said.
