Alex Joseph makes a catch for Stamford High School during a game against Trinity Catholic.
Former Stamford High School star Alex Joseph got his first taste of professional football this past weekend. Joseph, who starred for Temple, leading the team in tackles last season as well as to its first bowl game in 30 years, attended the Green Bay Packers’ rookie camp.
“It took a while to learn the defense, but it was pretty fun,” said the 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. “Everything was a lot faster, but it was kind of exciting.”
Joseph, who will wear uniform No. 48, said he had an awe-inpsiring experience.
“You get there and you are with a whole bunch of guys who got drafted, and guys you’ve seen play on TV at big-time schools, then the next thing you know you are getting physicials and you get fitted for your helmet,” Joseph said. “Then you go back to your locker and you have a green helmet and you see your name and number. It was the first time my name was on the back of a jersey since an All-Star game. It was pretty cool.
Joseph had an interception during his first practice and said while he did not get much feedback from the coaches, he felt comfortable and that he played well.
“It was a lot like my college practices,” he said. “I am going to have to contribute on special teams because that’s how you contribute early on.”
Joseph said he last played special teams as a sophomore for Temple.
The Packers have a strong group of starting linebackers, with Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews, but Joseph said he was one of the few players at the position brought in and could provide valuable depth.
Joseph’s former Stamford teammate, Vlad Ducasse, was the Jets’ second-round pick in the recent draft, while King’s Nate Collins was at the Giants’ rookie camp this past weekend.
Joseph, who had hoped to be selected in one of the later rounds, said he was contacted by the Packers, as well as several other teams, starting at the end of the sixth round on the final day of the draft.
“They called me again right after the draft, and some of the other teams I expected to get calls from didn’t call,” Joseph said. “My agent told me that the Packers wanted me badly and we figured that was the best bet.”
Joseph said he was visited by a scout from the Packers before the start of last season. Mark D’Onofrio, who is the Owls’ assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, was drafted by the Packers in the second round in 1992 and played for three seasons before his career was cut short by an injury.
“Coach D’Onofrio spoke very highly of them,” Joseph said. “I was hoping it would work out.”
Joseph will go back to Green Bay for a rookie symposium on May 16.
“I’m very happy to be where I am at,” Joseph said. “Being part of the Packers and so many great players, it is pretty exciting.”
