Morris Joseph Jr., Auburn Football News: Draft Scout Player News

05/27/22 - DT Morris Joseph Jr., rSr/2023, Auburn

Morris Joseph, the former Memphis defensive lineman who is the latest roster addition for Auburn this summer. Joseph is Auburn's third transfer pickup since the end of spring practices and the eighth overall this offseason after committing to, and signing with, the program last week. "He wants to play at the highest level, so bringing a guy like that in to compete with our D-line that we have now is exactly what we needed," Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said this week before speaking at an alumni event in Columbus, Ga. "So, that just helps that group; you have to have depth at that group, and you also have to have that mentality. So, I think he's ready for that." The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder was a productive contributor for Memphis the last three seasons, playing in 33 games and totaling 118 tackles. Nineteen of those came behind the line of scrimmage, with 11.5 of them being sacks. He also has one forced fumble on his resume.

Joseph played in 10 games for Memphis last year, starting nine of them. He had 38 total tackles, with 4.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. His most productive season, though, was the year prior, when he had a career-best 53 tackles, with 11.5 for a loss and eight sacks in 11 games. His impact at the line of scrimmage was evident when Auburn's coaches flipped on his film and targeted him in the transfer portal, but the program's desire to add Joseph to the roster was fortified during his visit to campus earlier this month. "Just being around him, he's got goals - the things that he felt he needed to work on was right on par with what we felt," Harsin said. "He gets to come here for a season and compete. He wants to be the very best. I enjoyed being around him; his family is great. The visit went well, and I just think his attitude and mentality - he has played and has had success." - Birmingham News

rSr/2023