South Carolina Football: Ranking the highest-paid NFL Gamecocks of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 3 NFL Career Earner:
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph
Johnathan Joseph is one of the most underrated NFL players of the 21st century. The former Gamecock only spent one season playing at South Carolina after a junior college career and an injury, so he didn’t enter the League with much fanfare, even though he was taken in the 1st round of the NFL Draft.
A strong start to his career with the Cincinnati Bengals put the league on notice, and a big free agent contract with the Houston Texans was the result. Joseph followed fellow Gamecock Dunta Robinson as the top corner in Houston, and, as good as Robinson was, Joseph was even better for the Texans.
In fact, Joseph had the best years of his career during his nine seasons in Houston, and he earned his big paycheck by knocking away more passes than any other player in the NFL since the year 2000.
Joseph played in a loaded AFC that was filled with talented cornerbacks like Darrell Revis, so he did not always get the credit he deserved, but his $85 Million career earnings more than make up for the lack of respect during his playing days.