Karl Joseph Embraces Being Called College Football's Hardest Hitter

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Football:

WVU's Joseph Carries a Big Stick | WVU Athletics
They say it’s the silent ones you have to watch. Most of the noise you hear these days from soft-spoken West Virginia University safety Karl Joseph comes from the crack of the pads when he runs violently into another player - not what comes out of his mouth.

Q&A: West Virginia safety Karl Joseph | ESPN

In his 38 career starts, West Virginia's Karl Joseph has recorded a total of 194 solo tackles and delivered some of the hardest hits in the Big 12.

Joseph, Dillon share skill set as hard-hitting safeties | The Exponent Telegram
He’s been proclaimed as college football’s hardest hitter coming into this season and the biggest miracle is that he has gone through his career without missing time to a concussion, which is to football what Tommy John surgery has come to be to baseball pitchers.

Likely starting QB Howard wins respect and admiration at WVU | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Presumptive WVU starting quarterback Skyler Howard has earned respect and trust of wide receivers through diligence and dedication.

WVU's Gibson says all positions are up for grabs | Beckley Register-Herald
West Virginia was back on the practice field for day No. 3 of training camp Wednesday, and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson wanted to make sure one thing was clear before drills even began. With depth, he said, comes competition, and he declared every starting spot up for grabs.

Motivation big part of Gibson’s boast | Charleston Gazette-Mail
It was in early March, just before West Virginia was to begin its spring football drills, that Tony Gibson went out on a limb. It sounded a bit out of character for West Virginia’s second-year defensive coordinator. It’s not that Gibson isn’t generally confident or brutally honest. He is. This time, though, he combined the two.

Mountaineers’ Smallwood won’t have to carry Sims-like burden | Charleston Gazette-Mail
For almost two years, from near the end of his freshman season to the dawn of this his third season with West Virginia, Wendell Smallwood has shouldered comparisons to Charles Sims. The prophesy was they’d be used and would succeed similarly in the Mountaineers offense.

Separating themselves: Shell, Smallwood even better than Seider expected | WV MetroNews
With Rushel Shell and Wendell Smallwood entrenched as West Virginia’s top ballcarriers, their position coach essentially can spend fall camp practicing his superlatives, right?

Bosch working his way into O-line rotation | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Perhaps the most intriguing player on West Virginia’s offensive line isn’t a starter and might not be settled into a position. And don’t expect the Mountaineers to rush him, either. Kyle Bosch is still in the feeling-out process.

Communication is key for Orlosky, WVU line | The Exponent Telegram
Whether it comes from getting to work with two new full-time starters at the guard positions or figuring out how to work with a new quarterback, this offseason has been a busy one for West Virginia center Tyler Orlosky.

Punt returns still a touchy issue | The Exponent Telegram
The question, coming on the opening day of football practice for West Virginia’s 2015 season, was in no way meant to open any festering wounds from the past.

West Virginia Athletics:

Buchanan, Lawrence on Hermann Trophy Watch List | WVU Athletics
West Virginia University juniors Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence have been named to the 2015 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List, released today by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Fleet-footed receiver commits to WVU | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Steven Smothers, a wide receiver from Franklin, Maryland, announced Wednesday his commitment to play football at West Virginia University.

Around The Big 12:

Kansas State's New 132,000 Square-Foot Football Complex Is So Extravagant, It's Comical | Brobible
Kansas State began its preseason training camp today and when players arrived at the facility, something seemed a bit different. That's because it was.

K-State releases first glimpse of completed new Vanier Family Football Complex | The Kansas City Star
Kansas State football players are due to report for preseason camp Wednesday, but the Wildcats who’ve already arrived were treated to a tour of the new Vanier Family Football Complex.

No ego issue for TCU Horned Frogs' co-offensive coordinators | ESPN
TCU's famed co-offensive coordinators, Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie, don't speak publicly very often over the course of the season. So you have to listen closely when they do.

David Gibbs has made a great early impression at Texas Tech | ESPN
David Gibbs has his work cut out for him if he plans to transform Tech's defense into one of the Big 12's best.

Texas 2015 Fall Camp Preview and Key Position Battles to Watch | AthlonSports.com
Texas has a lot to prove in 2015. The inaugural season of Charlie Strong and his new version of Texas Longhorns football was anything but ideal.

Around The NCAA:

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST 3.14: SPEAKING ON THE SEC | Every Day Should Be Saturday
We got some things to lay at the foot of the cross about the SEC, and also some robot murder talk.

New odds favor Ohio State, Bama, Clemson, USC, TCU to win power conferences | SBNation.com
Bovada's latest odds have Ohio State as the favorite to repeat as national champions and Alabama as the favorite in the SEC. Iowa State also has the same conference title odds as Florida! What a country.

University of Tennessee WR Von Pearson won't face rape charges | SI.com
Tennessee WR Von Pearson won't face rape charges after he was named a suspect in a three-month investigation.

Today's Miss Throwdown is a Ukranian model and actress.  CLICK HERE for today's gallery of the lovely Inessa Chimato.