CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois safety Kerby Joseph was selected in the third round (No. 97 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions on Friday in Las Vegas. Joseph is the highest drafted Illini safety since Henry Jones went in the first round (No. 26 overall) to the Buffalo Bills in 1991.
Joseph had a breakout 2021 season under first-year head coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. He was an All-Big Ten first team selection by the media, Illinois' first safety since 1989 to earn first team honors, after tying for the national lead in interceptions during the regular season with five.
Joseph totaled 57 tackles, 1.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, five interceptions, two pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries on the season. He was the only player in the nation 5+ interceptions and 3+ fumble recoveries during the regular season and one of only three Illini in the last 50 years to reach both marks.
The Orlando, Florida, native bounced between wide receiver and defensive back during his first three season in Champaign before landing at free safety in 2021. He was also a special teams standout for the Illini on kick and punt coverage.
Joseph is the first Illinois defender taken by Detroit since LB Terry Miller in 1968. The last Illini taken by the Lions was RB Mikel Leshoure in 2011.
Draft Selection
Highlights
Career Defensive Statistics
| Season |
G |
SOLO |
AST |
TACKLES |
TFLs-YDS |
SACKS-YDS |
INT |
PD |
FF |
FR |
BLK |
| 2018 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
9 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2019 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
30 |
1-2 |
0-0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2020 |
7 |
12 |
7 |
19 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2021 |
12 |
41 |
16 |
57 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
| Total |
39 |
74 |
41 |
115 |
1.0-2 |
0-0 |
5 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
NFL Draft Schedule
Thursday: Round 1, 7-10:30 p.m. CT
Friday: Rounds 2-3, 6-10:30 p.m. CT
Saturday: Rounds 4-7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. CT
