South Carolina Football: Ranking the top-20 NFL Gamecocks of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 7 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph
Johnathan Joseph (2004-2005) was only able to play one full season in garnet and black but showed his true potential in the NFL. Joseph ranks 2nd all-time in passes defended behind Hall of Famer Champ Bailey (the stat was tallied closely starting in the ’90s) and has knocked away more passes than any other player since the year 2000.
After a strong five-year start to his career with the Cincinnati Bengals that saw him earn a starting spot as a rookie, Joseph became one of the best corners in football with the Houston Texans. Joseph combined lockdown man coverage skills with being one of the best tackling corners in the game. Those skills helped him to make multiple Pro Bowls and an All-Pro squad while with the Texans.
Joseph’s final year in the NFL was the 2020 season, one in which he split time between the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans. Outside of that final season at age 36, Joseph was a full-time starter for his entire career.