The West Virginia football team has begun the week with a bang, which will most likely result in a significant shift in on-field defensive productivity in 2024.
Former Northwestern defensive back Jaheem Joseph revealed on Monday via X/Twitter that he will be transferring to West Virginia for the 2024 season, giving a new face to a position group that battled for depth last fall.
And it just so happens that he will not be arriving alone.
On Tuesday, Northwestern defensive back Garnett Hollis Jr. revealed that he will join his buddy in Morgantown.
While Joseph and Hollis Jr. don’t receive a lot of public attention, their addition to the program should not be underestimated.
And it just so happens that he will not be arriving alone.
On Tuesday, Northwestern defensive back Garnett Hollis Jr. revealed that he will join his buddy in Morgantown.
While Joseph and Hollis Jr. don’t receive a lot of public attention, their addition to the program should not be underestimated.
After that game, Joseph talked about just how first-year Northwestern coach David Braun’s defensive approach developed his skill as a ballhawk.
“When bringing in (Braun’s) new system, it was always a heavy emphasis on eyes on the ball,” Joseph said. “We work on it in practice drills, turnover circuit every Thursday before practice…it’s drilled into our mindset of find ball, get ball.”
Meanwhile, Hollis Jr. tallied 49 tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception during his 2023 campaign. Following Northwestern’s win over Purdue last fall, Braun heaped praise upon Hollis Jr. and his teammates Rod Heard II and Bryce Gallagher.
“Those are three names that (any NFL team) would not be crazy to have on their teams,” Braun said. “They embody what it looks like to play the game the right way.”
What may prove most valuable about the addition of Joseph and Hollis Jr. may be their experience. Each brings first-hand knowledge of what it takes to see playing time in the Big 10, one of the top-tier football conferences at the FBS level. Not only that, but they proved they know how to win at that level. Having those types of players could prove invaluable for the Mountaineer defense, allowing them to play a similar role as consensus All-American Beanie Bishop did this past fall.
