2021 Football Roster
Jersey Number 25
Kerby Joseph
- Position:
- DB
- Class:
- Junior
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 200
- Hometown:
- Orlando, Fla.
- High School:
- Jones
2021 Junior
- All-Big Ten first team (media)
- Fifth Illini safety in the last 50 years to earn All-Big Ten first-team honors, joining Mike Gow (1973), Craig Swope (1983), Glenn Cobb (1988), and Marlon Primous (1989)
- All-Big Ten second team (coaches)
- AP All-Big Ten first team
- PFF All-America second team and PFF All-Big Ten second team
- Phil Steele All-Big Ten second team
- Academic All-Big Ten
- #1 graded defensive back in the nation by PFF during the regular season
- Tied for first in the nation in interceptions (5) during the regular season
- Tied for third in the nation in fumble recoveries (3) during the regular season
- The only player in the nation with 5+ interceptions and 3+ fumble recoveries during the regular season
- One of only three Illini in the last 50 years to record 5+ interceptions and 3+ fumble recoveries in a single season
- Three fumble recoveries are tied for the 10th-most in Illinois history (stat since 1971)
- 57 tackles, 1.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, five interceptions, two pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries on the season
- Fourth on the team with 57 tackles
- Fifth on the team with 41 solo tackles
- Interception at Minnesota secured the Illini's first victory over an opponent ranked in the College Football Playoff top 25
- Either an interception or a fumble recovery in five straight games from Sept. 11-Oct. 9
- Five tackles including a fumble recovery and a pass breakup against Charlotte 10/2/21
- Interception and six tackles against Purdue 9/25/21
- Recorded his first career interception along with seven combined tackles and one PBU against Virginia 9/11/21
- Tackle on a punt resulted in a safety against Nebraska 8/28/21 for the first points of the college football season
- Illinois team special teams MVP against Nebraska 8/28/21
2020 Junior
- Played in seven games
- 19 tackles on the season
2019 Sophomore
- Played in 12 games and started two at safety
- 17 tackles, 1.0 TFL, three PBUs on the season
- Career-high two PBUs at UConn 9/7/19 despite missing the first half due to targeting penalty suspension
- Targeting penalty in the second half against Akron 8/31/19 and did not play in the first half at UConn 9/7/19
2018 Freshman
- Played 10 games
- Nine tackles and one PBU on season
- First career PBU against Minnesota 11/3/18
- Career-high three tackles against Kent State 9/1/18
- Made his Illinois debut in the season opener against Kent State 9/1/18
- Missed the Wisconsin and Maryland games with an injury
High School
- Three-star recruit by Rivals
- Two-way player
- Four interceptions and 7.0 TFLs as a senior, plus five touchdown receptions
- Played for head coach Elijah Williams at Jones
- Also ran track and played volleyball in high school
- Volleyball team’s MVP
- Verbally committed to Illinois in December 2017
- Offers included Mississippi State, Syracuse, USF and FAU
Personal
- Born Nov. 14, 2000
- Picked Illinois because, “I love the chemistry.”
- Listed Jalen Ramsey as his favorite athlete
- Majoring in community health
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Thursday, March 05
Illinois Football | Bobby Hauck Introductory Press Conference 2/12/26
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Illinois Football | Xavier Scott Return Announcement Press Conference Press Conference 1/21/26
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