Joshua Josephs is an edge rusher and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who spent all four of his collegiate seasons at the University of Tennessee. A native of Kennesaw, Georgia, Josephs was a four-star recruit and one of the top edge prospects in his state in the 2022 class, committing to the Volunteers over Michigan, Penn State, and Miami. He appeared in 12 games as a true freshman and recorded 12 tackles and a sack before spending the next two seasons developing behind future first-round pick James Pearce Jr. and NFL draftee Byron Young, accumulating 59 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles in those 25 games. His 2025 senior season, his first as the full-time starter, showcased the ability his coaches had long seen, as he started 11 games, recorded 33 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks, and generated a 90.4 PFF pass-rush grade that ranked third in the SEC and 19th nationally. He earned invitations to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine and finished his career with 104 tackles and 9.5 sacks across 48 games.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches and approximately 240 to 242 pounds with an 82-inch wingspan, Josephs is one of the most explosive and twitched-up edge rushers in the class, with a first-step burst that is among the fastest off the ball regardless of position and the length and athleticism to string pass-rush moves together against SEC-caliber offensive tackles. His toolbox includes cross-chops, spin moves, and speed-to-power that allow him to convert initial wins into sacks, and his production under the brightest lights of Tennessee's schedule validated the tools he had shown in limited action for three previous seasons. The primary concern is his limited frame at 240 pounds, which has led evaluators to question his long-term ability to set the edge against NFL linemen and hold up as a three-down player, and his starting experience is limited to a single full season. He projects as a Day 2 selection who can contribute immediately as a designated pass rusher and develop over time into a complete edge defender.
