DJ FLEX

Daniel Joseph is a talented athlete and academic achiever, born with a passion for sports and a thirst for knowledge. As a young teenager from Brampton Ontario with hopes and aspirations of pursuing a career in the NBA, he grew up in the shadows of some of the NBA’s notable stars today. Stars such as Anthony Bennett, Tristan Thomson, Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, and many more participated on the former AAU basketball team CIA Bounce.

At age 15 this trust and passion for competing against the best of the best led him to a small private school in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, the once mecca of basketball stars. Ironically as God would have it, lake forest was located directly behind the practice facility of one of the NFL’s most historic franchises, the Chicago Bears.

Immediately he was attracted to the game as his first year ever putting on the pads, he was thrust into roles based on sheer love and interest for the game and the newfound freedom he unknowingly yearned for. His freshman year, he found himself flip-flopping between running down on kickoff on the varsity team games on Friday night lights, to returning double house call kicks on the JV football games on Saturday. He barely knew what he was doing more than half the time, but all he did know was that he didn’t want to get off the field, and he desired to win by all means whenever given the chance to play the game.

By his junior year, he had earned the opportunity to really see what he was capable of by becoming the starting defensive end and tight end on a very short-manned team of young warriors that simply had the desire to win and make it to the highest level possible in the sport. By the end of his high school career, he had lettered in almost 4 sports and caught 26 passes for 498 yards and eight touchdowns as a tight end, rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, Ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 player in Illinois, No. 6 regional player and No. 11 defensive end in the country.  His senior year he had converted to linebacker and Tallied 72 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 25 tackles for loss and two interceptions, and had 10 receiving touchdowns as a tight end.

Coming into college, he truly wanted to maximize his talent and God-given ability in all areas of what it meant to be a student-athlete. Due to some minor setback injuries as well as a combination of being among an elite group of pass rushers during the 2016-2019 Penn State campaign, Daniel was an integral part of the university’s sports program, showcasing his remarkable skills and determination in his respective sport. He was able to contribute to the historical seasons by making appearances in just 15 games and recorded 30 tackles, 8 TFL’s and 5.5 sacks, making the most of the plays received. Daniel Joseph also is a 2016 big-ten champion, a 2017 fiesta bowl champion, and a 2019 cotton bowl champion with appearances in the rose bowl and citrus bowl. Off the field Daniel also earned his bachelor’s degree in labor employment relations as well as a minor in sociology, proving that he was a true student-athlete.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Penn State, Joseph’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a Master’s degree at North Carolina State University. While there, he continued to impress both academically and athletically, making a significant impact on the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Over his 2-year journey at the university, Daniel was able to rack up 66 tackles, 16 TFLs, and 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Thanks to the blessing of Covid-19, Joseph was able to receive his 6th year of eligibility giving him the opportunity to complete his master's degree. His dedication to both his education and his athletic endeavours earned him recognition and respect among his peers and professors, with recognitions such as 2 time all- ACC player of the week and a defining moment of his sports career, Daniel Joseph’s exceptional talents caught the attention of the Canadian Football League (CFL) allowing him to become the 4th overall pick in the 2021 CFL draft, a testament to his outstanding abilities and potential on the football field.

His commitment to the sport, coupled with his natural talent and hard work, made him an elite and effective player and a true asset to any team he represented.

Off the field, Daniel Joseph is known for his infectious energy, humility, leadership, and dedication to giving back to the community. He actively engages in various charitable initiatives and strives to inspire the next generation of athletes and scholars through mentorship and passing on key tips through motivational speeches. As a Penn State and NC State graduate, a CFL first-round pick, and a now NFL/XFL professional,

Daniel Joseph has left and continues to strive to leave an indelible mark on the world of sports and academia. His journey inspires others, and his passion for excellence serves as a beacon of hope for those aspiring to achieve greatness in all aspects of life.