‘I’m going to war with somebody else now.’ LSU transfer ready for new start at UK.
The University of Kentucky was barely on Kelvin Joseph’s radar in 2018, when he was a consensus four-star recruit and regarded as one of the best high school football players in the nation.
You’ve probably heard this one before: football wasn’t even something Joseph, a native of Baton Rouge, La., associated with UK during his days at Scotlandville Magnet.
“You don’t really notice Kentucky cause it’s not advertised as a football school,” said Joseph, who signed with the hometown favorite, LSU, a little more than two years ago. “Back home, we only think about basketball when you say, ‘Kentucky.’”
Joseph played in 11 games as a true freshman at LSU but last summer entered the transfer portal, making him recruitable by other college staffs. Kentucky defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale reached out, as did recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow and wide receivers coach Michael Smith, who had recruited Joseph in high school while he was coaching at Arkansas. He joined the Wildcats in August, right before the 2019 season started, and will have three years of eligibility in Lexington starting this fall.
They pitched him on the leadership qualities he could bring to a group of defensive backs that entering last fall featured several unproven players who, like Joseph, found themselves contributing at a young age. Joseph had to sit out due to the NCAA’s transfer policy, but he could still be a positive influence in the locker room and provide valuable reps as a member of the scout team in practice.
Now he’s taking reps this spring with the intent to contribute on the field come September. Defensive coordinator Brad White told reporters Thursday that having to sit out for a year can have an illuminating effect on guys’ commitment to the sport; Joseph has sparkled like a diamond.
“They realize how important football is to them when they’re not playing, ‘cause they’ve always just played,” White said. “ ... And then you come in and have football sort of taken away from you, and you realize how important it is. And if you, in two or three years don’t want that thing taken away from you or you don’t want it to end, then you’re going to have to elevate and push. He’s been good in that regard, the work ethic.”
Joseph’s “football instinct” has stood out to White, in addition to his athleticism and size (he’s 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds). That combined with his dedication should pave the way for him to have a big role come the 2020 season; head coach Mark Stoops called him a “difference-maker” during a news conference Monday.
Things didn’t work out at LSU — or “DBU,” a reference to its knack for developing defensive backs — but that’s behind Joseph. He’s eager to help Kentucky heighten its own defensive capabilities — UK allowed the second fewest passing yards in the country last season and ranked No. 20 overall in total defense — and continue raising its profile in the Southeastern Conference.
“I’m ready to ball. I’m ready to cut up for Kentucky,” Joseph said “ ... DBU is DBU. They’re still my brothers, but I’m going to war with somebody else now.”
Important upcoming dates
March 27: UK Pro Day
April 11: Blue-White Spring Game
