Notre Dame S Brandon Joseph Not Focused on Preseason Hype
Brandon Joseph didn’t exactly know what to expect when he transferred from Northwestern to Notre Dame in January.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pounder did know he was walking into on Top 5 program with a ton of experience returning and that was enough for Joseph to choose the Fighting Irish.
Eight months later, Joseph couldn’t be happier with his decision as Notre Dame’s veterans have provided a healthy challenge for him when it comes to leadership.
"I've learned a lot being on this team,” Joseph stated. “I know whenever I hopped on the phone with Freeman the first day I was in the portal, he said we were returning 18 starters and that's one of the reasons I wanted to come here. I didn't really understand or realize at the time the senior-led team I was coming into.
"We have a lot of seniors on our team that have been through a lot and have great mindsets and our hard workers. They want to go be the best. For me to step into an environment like that as a proven player and someone who has played in the Big 10 and the Big 10 Championship, it was great for me.
Freeman and his staff have been vocal that leading by example isn’t enough and Joseph quickly learned just playing well wasn’t going to cut it.
Joseph saw how his fellow safeties DJ Brown and Houston Griffith came to work every day, but also pushed the other players on the team.
"I was able to come in, I'm still learning, and I'm learning from all these seniors that are great leaders and great people in general,” explained Joseph. “It's been great for me. I used to think lead by example, go out there and go as hard as you can, but what do you do when every senior is going as hard as they can?
“Everyone is leading by example, so you have to do a little bit more. You have to be vocal and bring guys along to make sure everyone is getting better alongside you."
Notre Dame’s players have clearly impressed the Texas native, but it’s also been the coaching staff. Safeties coach Chris O’Leary has opened Joseph’s eyes on the field, while Freeman’s focus on a bigger goal has rubbed off on the entire team.
"We have the best coaches in the country,” stated Joseph. “Coach O'Leary has taught me a lot of things I didn't really think about before. He's emphasized a lot of different aspects of my game and that's allowed me to excel. I love the way Coach Freeman preaches the messages all the time in terms of choosing hard, love your brothers and constantly trying to go win a national championship. I love the way the coaches go about it."
The trip to Columbus to face Ohio State is less than two weeks away and Joseph has spent hours watching film on Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud.
Joseph has watched the Buckeyes big plays to get a feel of what Stroud is looking for and the challenge of facing a Heisman candidate is something he’s fully embracing.
“I'm so excited,” Joseph said. “As a ball hawk, that's all you can ask for. I'm excited to have a quarterback as confident as CJ. He can throw a great ball. Watching film on him, he throws one of the better balls I've seen in my time in college. I know it's going to make me play that much harder and I'm excited to be out there.
It’s a dream matchup for fans as Ohio State’s All-Americans will face off against Notre Dame’s All-American safety.
Yet, don’t expect Joseph to get caught up in the preseason hype.
"I'm at Notre Dame,” said Joseph. “Someone has already had that preseason accolade before. I'm not going to lie, I put that behind my back. I don't look at it. I use it to help my brand, build the image of Brandon Joseph, but I'm focused on one thing and that's the opponent of the week.
"I don't have time to focus on all that. I did that last year and it didn't work out for me. I'm focused on what I need to be focused on."
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