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University of Illinois Athletics

2021 Football Roster

Michael Glasgow / Illinois Athletics

25 Kerby Joseph

  • Position DB
  • Class Junior
  • Height 6-1
  • Weight 200
  • Hometown Orlando, Fla.
  • High School Jones
  • Instagram jkerb25_
  • Twitter 4JKERB7

Biography

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

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 26

    2018Freshman

    DB
    6'1" 190 lbs
    26
  • 25

    2019Sophomore

    DB
    6'1" 200 lbs
    25
  • 25

    2020Junior

    WR
    6'1" 200 lbs
    25
  • 25

    2021Junior

    DB
    6'1" 200 lbs
    25