He was once the most feared ball-hawk in college football. Honestly, if you blinked during the 2020 Big Ten season, you probably missed Brandon Joseph snagging another interception. The guy was a consensus All-American as a redshirt freshman at Northwestern. You don't just stumble into that. But then, the hype train sort of derailed. A high-profile transfer to Notre Dame didn't result in the first-round draft stock everyone predicted, and suddenly, Brandon Joseph went from a "can’t-miss" prospect to an undrafted free agent fighting for his life in Detroit.
The Detroit Lions didn't care about the draft slide. Brad Holmes has a thing for guys who have "it" but lost the narrative along the way.
From Northwestern Star to the Detroit Bubble
Look at the numbers from that 2020 season. Six interceptions in just eight games. That is absurd production. He had more picks than some entire teams. When he hit the transfer portal to head to South Bend, the expectations were sky-high. He was supposed to replace Kyle Hamilton. That’s a massive ask for anyone. While he wasn't "bad" at Notre Dame, the splash plays dried up a bit.
NFL scouts are fickle. They saw a drop in ball production and started nitpicking his long speed. They questioned his tackling in the open field. He plummeted.
When the Detroit Lions signed Brandon Joseph as a UDFA in 2023, most fans barely noticed. They were too busy celebrating the Gibbs and Campbell picks. But Joseph spent that first year soaking everything up on the practice squad. It’s the classic "redshirt" NFL year. You learn how Aaron Glenn wants the safeties to disguise coverages. You realize that in this league, if you're a step slow mentally, you're toast.
Why Brandon Joseph Fits the Dan Campbell Mold
Detroit isn't looking for choir boys. They want "grit." It’s a cliché at this point, but for a guy like Joseph, it’s the only way to survive. He had to prove he could contribute on special teams. That’s the secret door to the 53-man roster. If you can’t tackle a returner on kickoffs, you aren't getting a snap at safety.
Joseph showed flashes during the 2024 preseason that made people sit up. He wasn't just backpedaling; he was attacking the ball again. That’s the Northwestern version of Brandon Joseph the Lions are trying to resurrect.
The safety room in Detroit is crowded, though. You’ve got Brian Branch—who is basically a superstar already—and Kerby Joseph, another ball-magnet. Then there’s the veteran presence of Ifeatu Melifonwu when he’s healthy. Where does Brandon Joseph fit? He’s the insurance policy with a massive ceiling.
💡 You might also like: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
The Mechanics of the Ball-Hawk
What makes a good safety? It isn't just a 40-yard dash time. If it were, every track star would be an All-Pro. It’s about "eyes." Brandon Joseph has some of the best eyes in the secondary. He anticipates where the quarterback is going before the receiver even makes his break.
- He understands route combinations better than most young DBs.
- His hands are elite; he catches like a wide receiver.
- He’s learned to use his 6-foot-1 frame to crowd passing lanes.
The knock on him was always the "want to" in the run game. In Detroit, if you don't hit, you don't play. Period. Under defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, Joseph has had to transform his game. He’s becoming more of a physical presence. He’s shedding the "finesse" label that followed him out of Notre Dame.
The Kerby Joseph Connection
It’s funny, right? Two safeties, both named Joseph. Both have a knack for the football. Kerby has already established himself as a guy who can ruin Aaron Rodgers' (or anyone's) day. Having Brandon Joseph in the same room creates a weirdly specific type of synergy. They both thrive on chaos.
They’re different players, though. Kerby is more of the rangy, centerfield type. Brandon is arguably more polished in man-to-man situations when he’s dialed in. The Lions have experimented with three-safety looks. It’s a trend across the NFL to combat the "positionless" offenses of teams like the 49ers or Rams. Having a guy like Brandon Joseph who can sub in without a massive drop-off in IQ is a luxury.
Overcoming the UDFA Stigma
Being undrafted is a chip on the shoulder that never really goes away. Ask Brian Hoyer. Ask Adam Thielen. Every time a new draft class comes in, the team is basically trying to replace you. Joseph has lived on that edge for two seasons now.
In the 2024 season, we started to see him get those elevated snaps. When injuries hit—and they always hit in the NFL—Joseph was the one getting the call. He didn't look like a deer in headlights. He looked like he belonged. That’s the hurdle. Going from "happy to be here" to "I’m the best option you have."
The Detroit Lions' secondary was the Achilles' heel for years. They were giving up explosive plays like they were handing out candy. Brad Holmes addressed that by bringing in Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, but the depth provided by guys like Brandon Joseph is what actually wins divisions. You need the grinders.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
Breaking Down the Film: What the Scouts Missed
Scouts loved Joseph’s 2020 tape but hated his 2022 tape. They said he looked "stiff."
Watching him in a Lions jersey, that stiffness seems to have dissipated. Maybe it was the scheme at Notre Dame. Maybe he was playing through something we didn't know about. In Detroit’s aggressive, press-heavy man system, he’s allowed to be more instinctive.
He’s particularly good in the "Robber" role. This is where a safety drops down into the middle of the field to steal a slant or a crosser. It requires a high football IQ and the balls to ignore your primary responsibility for a split second to make a play. Joseph has that in spades.
- He’s improved his backpedal fluidity.
- His transition from backpedal to sprint is sharper.
- He’s much more aggressive coming downhill against the run.
The Special Teams Factor
You want to know why he’s still on the roster? It’s because he’s a core four special teams player. Punts, kickoffs, returns—he’s there. Coaches like Fipp love guys who don't complain about the "dirty work." Joseph has embraced it.
It’s the path of least resistance to a long career. If you can play safety and be a beast on special teams, you can play 10 years in this league.
The Future of the Lions Secondary
The Lions are in a "Super Bowl or bust" window. That changes how you develop players. You don't have time to baby someone who isn't getting it. Brandon Joseph has survived multiple roster cuts and practice squad rotations. That tells you the coaching staff sees something the public doesn't always appreciate.
They see a guy who can play multiple spots. They see a guy who doesn't make the same mistake twice. In the modern NFL, where offenses are designed to confuse safeties with motion and "eye candy," having a cerebral player like Joseph is massive.
👉 See also: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
Is he going to be a Pro Bowler? Maybe not. But could he be the next starting safety if someone walks in free agency? Absolutely. He’s the type of "glue guy" that championship rosters are built on.
What to Watch for Next
As we move deeper into the 2025 and 2026 seasons, watch Joseph’s snap counts in sub-packages. When the Lions go to their "dime" defense (six defensive backs), keep an eye on #30 (or whatever number he’s sporting this week).
He’s often tasked with covering the tight end or the "big" slot receiver. His ability to win those one-on-one battles will determine if he stays a depth piece or becomes a fixture.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the progress of Brandon Joseph and the Lions' secondary, here is what you should actually be looking for during the games:
- Watch the "Check-With-Me" Signals: Watch Joseph pre-snap. If he’s the one directing traffic and pointing out shifts, it means he has mastered Aaron Glenn’s playbook. This is a huge indicator of coaching trust.
- Target-to-Completion Ratio: Don't just look at interceptions. Look at how often QBs even bother throwing his way. Shutting down a window is just as valuable as a pick.
- Special Teams Tackles: If he’s leading the team or in the top three for special teams stops, his roster spot is essentially ironclad regardless of what happens at safety.
- Closing Speed: Pay attention to how quickly he closes the gap on a completed short pass. If he’s limiting YAC (Yards After Catch), he’s doing his job in the Lions' "bend but don't break" moments.
Brandon Joseph is a prime example of why you don't give up on talent just because a player didn't go in the first round. The Detroit Lions found a ball-hawk who was hiding in plain sight, and he’s just starting to reward that faith.