I recently caught up with Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy head coach Robin Bowkett for a magazine story about his former pupil DL Daniel Joseph, who is set to arrive at Penn State this weekend.
Just some quick notes coming from the conversation about the incoming freshman defensive lineman's development…
When Joseph finally departed LFA after graduation about a month ago he weighed in around 240 pounds. He was heading back to his native Canada until he reports at Penn State this weekend.
When that happens he'll begin his college career at defensive end, but that's not the only position he's familiar with. During his career at LFA Joseph played tight end and linebacker -- in addition to DE. He was also the backup punter.
"You'll see his film, and he's literally doing everything for us," Bowkett said. "I wish that wasn't necessarily the case, but he was a kid who was happy to do it. At the end of every game that kid was a Godsend."
Looking ahead to his college career, Bowkett thinks Joseph could have a similar impact at PSU, although he certainly won't be punting the ball. Tight end is a position Bowkett thinks Joseph could excel at, but as of now there's no discussion about him playing offense. It's all defense.
Defensive end to begin, but depending on his rate of growth Bowkett foresees a realistic scenario in which Joseph grows into a three-technique defensive tackle.
"He's just a freak athlete, so I think he'd be successful in all three of those positions," Bowkett said. "I think he's a little more raw at tight end than he would be a D-end, but he'd still be great at that. You just always put your best athletes on defense, and he's going to be one of those guys. I think he's going to start at defensive end, because he can do that. He fits the mold for a 4-down D-end or even a 3-4 outside 'backer, but I see Daniel eventually just putting on weight and moving inside."
Described as a "super, super raw" football player, Bowkett believes that the added weight would not slow down the explosion that he's seen throughout Joseph's high school career, not only on the field but also the hardwood.
"That kid dunked (the basketball) like three times a game," Bowkett added. "He's done some things athletically that just make you go, Wow! So he'll come in as a D-end, but he's working. He has the mindset to do that and that's what he's going to be going in as (a DE), but it wouldn't surprise me down the road if he ends up being more of a three-tech and being like 270 pounds and being a monster."
- A couple other quick notes on Joseph: A basketball kid growing up, he didn't start playing football until the ninth grade when he enrolled at LFA. … I don't know his exact age, but he is one of the older freshmen who are set to arrive this weekend. When Joseph first enrolled at LFA it was a repeat ninth-grader, according to Bowkett … Also, some of you might remember his brother, Faith Ekakitie. He was a PSU recruiting target in the Class of 2012 and is now a senior DL for Iowa. Joseph was interested in the Hawkeyes and a few other Midwestern schools, but chose PSU in order to carve his own path, Bowkett said.
Just some quick notes coming from the conversation about the incoming freshman defensive lineman's development…
When Joseph finally departed LFA after graduation about a month ago he weighed in around 240 pounds. He was heading back to his native Canada until he reports at Penn State this weekend.
When that happens he'll begin his college career at defensive end, but that's not the only position he's familiar with. During his career at LFA Joseph played tight end and linebacker -- in addition to DE. He was also the backup punter.
"You'll see his film, and he's literally doing everything for us," Bowkett said. "I wish that wasn't necessarily the case, but he was a kid who was happy to do it. At the end of every game that kid was a Godsend."
Looking ahead to his college career, Bowkett thinks Joseph could have a similar impact at PSU, although he certainly won't be punting the ball. Tight end is a position Bowkett thinks Joseph could excel at, but as of now there's no discussion about him playing offense. It's all defense.
Defensive end to begin, but depending on his rate of growth Bowkett foresees a realistic scenario in which Joseph grows into a three-technique defensive tackle.
"He's just a freak athlete, so I think he'd be successful in all three of those positions," Bowkett said. "I think he's a little more raw at tight end than he would be a D-end, but he'd still be great at that. You just always put your best athletes on defense, and he's going to be one of those guys. I think he's going to start at defensive end, because he can do that. He fits the mold for a 4-down D-end or even a 3-4 outside 'backer, but I see Daniel eventually just putting on weight and moving inside."
Described as a "super, super raw" football player, Bowkett believes that the added weight would not slow down the explosion that he's seen throughout Joseph's high school career, not only on the field but also the hardwood.
"That kid dunked (the basketball) like three times a game," Bowkett added. "He's done some things athletically that just make you go, Wow! So he'll come in as a D-end, but he's working. He has the mindset to do that and that's what he's going to be going in as (a DE), but it wouldn't surprise me down the road if he ends up being more of a three-tech and being like 270 pounds and being a monster."
- A couple other quick notes on Joseph: A basketball kid growing up, he didn't start playing football until the ninth grade when he enrolled at LFA. … I don't know his exact age, but he is one of the older freshmen who are set to arrive this weekend. When Joseph first enrolled at LFA it was a repeat ninth-grader, according to Bowkett … Also, some of you might remember his brother, Faith Ekakitie. He was a PSU recruiting target in the Class of 2012 and is now a senior DL for Iowa. Joseph was interested in the Hawkeyes and a few other Midwestern schools, but chose PSU in order to carve his own path, Bowkett said.
