2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Katley Joseph, DB, University of Maine

• Name: Katley Joseph
• Position: Defensive Back
• College: University of Maine
• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 195
• Twitter: @KatleyJoseph
• Instagram: @katleyjoseph

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft?

• I believe what makes me a top prospect at my position in the 2022 NFL Draft is my attention to detail. Whenever I line up against opponents, understanding their tendencies, being disciplined/focused, and playing confidently will always bring positive results. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

• At the age of 11 years old I was first introduced to football by my elementary school friends. I didn’t know much about the sport but I loved the environment, running around, making people miss, and the competitive side of me that wanted to win took over my love for the game. From there, my family ended up signing me up for club football in my area of town named the Orleans Bengals and the rest is history.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

• One thing that NFL teams should know about me is that I put a lot of time and effort into this sport. The countless amount of sacrifices made and the hours put in ultimately helped me become the person I am today. Another thing would be my attention to detail in every aspect of the game whether it’s on the defense or special teams, I tend to try to read the plays which facilitate my game. I’m a team player who’s serious in his craft and also loves helping and elevating individuals around me.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

• If I could donate to one cause it would be to help the less fortunate kids across the world who don’t have resources to food, water, clothes, school supplies, sports gear, and much more. I know that many non-profits across the world need donations to help kids get to those resources and I know if I had the platform, I would contribute to the cause. I believe every kid around the world deserves a chance to live, be free, have love, and have a limitless amount of support. Just knowing the fact that some kids want to play, study, or eat but don’t have the means to do so makes my reasoning even more important. I would love to be able to help in that aspect as my donations would help make the world a better place for them.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

• The best advice I’ve ever received was to always think before you act. Even though it sounds simple, sometimes people don’t think before they act and they find themselves in an unreasonable situation where they regret their actions. Of course, you have to experience to learn in life, but just having this voice inside your head who always looks out for your best interest is needed at any level in your life. Ultimately, I believe it works as a blessing in disguise. 

Who was your childhood hero?

• When it comes to my childhood hero, I don’t have one specific person I look up to. Instead, I look up to all 5 of my family member for the countless amount of support they’ve given me from a young age. I’m the youngest of four boys in my family and they all sacrificed a lot for me to be where I am today. For this reason, they will always be my heroes and my inspiration to succeed in life.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

• My most underrated teammate in my locker room has to be Mike Monios. Not only that I consider him a very close friend, but on and off the field he is a person you can always count on. He’s a very talented receiver who will also play on special teams because he wants to contribute however he can in the game. Wherever you place him on the field, he will go at 100% and that’s what makes him a selfless and underrated teammate.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• My biggest pet peeve has to be someone who goes over their word or someone’s who’s not honest with their actions. I believe your word is your bond, and if you go over it, it creates this false impression of who you claim to be. The best thing is honesty and some people can look up to you for staying true to yourself compared to an individual portraying to be someone they’re not.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

• The hardest moment in my life would have to deal with was when my grandmother passed away during my football season. Although she lived a great life, the transition to football was a hard one because I wasn’t able to attend the funeral. This made me stronger as a person because I overcame the emotions I was feeling and played one of my best games out of respect for her. She played such an important role in my family, and even if it was hard to see her leave, I will always cherish every moment I had with her. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

• The University of Maine built me to become the man I am today. Coming out of high school, I wasn’t the most recruited kid especially coming from Canada, but they believed in me. As soon as I got there, I was able to befriend people easily because it became a home away from home. From my teammates to classmates, to professors, and all the fans, I was able to feel comfortable in this new environment and feel welcomed with open arms. I will forever be grateful for my time at the University of Maine and I will always cherish every moment I had at this institution. 

What is your favorite snack food?

• My favorite snack food has to be watermelon. Even though it’s a fruit, I can never get tired of it as this is a go-to snack whenever I go grocery shopping. If there’s one thing I’d always want on any given day it’ll be watermelons.

What is the best part of football?

• The best part of playing football is going out there with my teammates/coaches and being able to play the game that I love. I believe sometimes people take this for granted, but I cherish the small moments just as much as the big moments because you never know when they will be gone. Every time I step on the field, I point to the sky, make a prayer, and go out there and give my 100% while ultimately having fun with the game. The bond that you create with your teammates is something that can’t be replaced as you build friendships that will last a lifetime.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

• I would say “Slow but steady wins the race”. I’m a guy when it comes to doing stuff, I like to do them well. I believe in quality work over quantity of work any day since I trust my process and once my vision is set on something, I will get it done. Patience is a virtue as well. I feel that’s what explains my journey along my football path.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

• If I could compare myself and my style of play to one NFL player it would be Tre’Davious White. Already having similar body types, I believe what I bring to the table has a lot of similarities in comparison to him. We show similar traits whether it’s evaluated through pass deflections, press-man coverage abilities, using our hands to our advantage, and being able to read plays.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

• If I could have a conversation with three individuals it would be my late grandmother, Ed Reed, and Chad Bostwick. All of these three individuals had a positive impact on my life and the way I carry myself on and off the football field. From my grandma who always showed the countless amount of love and support, Ed Reed who made me understand the lens of playing football in the backfield, and Chad Bostwick who showed me the importance of perseverance to have success even when people doubt you. What all three of them did in their respective areas is what shined a different perspective in my journey. They all played an important role in my life that helped me become the person I am today on and off the field.