2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Joseph Wharton, LB, Siena Heights University

• Name: Joseph Wharton
• Position: OLB / DE
• College: Siena Heights University 
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 230
• Twitter: JosephWharton10
• Instagram: Joexillmatic 

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

My ability to be a dominating pass rusher during 3rd down situations when my team needs a sack or TFL. I’m that guy on the field consistently looking to make a huge play with a relentless motor to get after quarterbacks. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I really started having interest in the sport of football at the age of 14, at that time I was a huge fan of the Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. Who made hitting people look like art to me at that age. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I am a team player who looks to fill the role of whatever a team needs. Also, I’m a guy who enjoys the grind and uses his hardships from the past to motivate himself to create a better future. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

If I could donate to one because it would be St. Jude hospital to help the children that are diagnosed with cancer at younger ages. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Thank God every day because it’s millions that pray for the blessings you have. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My dad & mom because they both played major roles in my life and made countless sacrifices to make sure that I have a better life than they had at my age.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

Honestly, my whole team because we walk into every game as the underdog. I love it personally because I never had hype around my name. I worked hard for everything that I got and so does my team. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Not having a dream or goal in your life that you’re passionate about. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

Coming home after my freshman year of college at Saginaw valley state and realizing that I wasted my parents time and money. Because I wanted to be average with my grades and field performance which lost me money off my scholarship and put me in a state of depression. Because I felt like I let my family down who had so much faith in me to be the one to do something great in life. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Siena Heights University is special to me because we’re a school that has D1 and D2 talent throughout every athletic program. It’s just the fact that being in the NAIA conference people overlook us and think because we’re a small school that we don’t have the pro or top tier athletes like other big ten schools nearby, but what they don’t know is that our grit and grind is stronger than a lot of these big schools who have boosters and extra money to give back to their players when NAIA players like myself have to grab jobs in the offseason to help pay for college tuition, personal training and other necessities. (#WeBuiltDifferent )

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food would be cheeseburgers and French fries. 

What is the best part of football? 

Going to war with my brother’s day by day until we all get the chance to unleash that rage on our opponents. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

I’m not comfortable with settling. I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL, who would it be? 

If I could compare myself to one player in the NFL it would be Hassan Reddick. He’s a player I model myself after because he’s a twitchy and versatile player at the OLB position. He is truly a playmaker on the field who isn’t the biggest but plays like he is. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

My grandfather, my oldest ancestor, and lastly Von Miller. My grandfather passed away around the time I was born, so I would love to have a conversation with him and my oldest ancestor on their hardships and how they overcame them during harsh times in the past. Lastly, Von Miller because he is a future Hall of Famer in my eyes that did things at the OLB position that made any team he faced fear him. I want that same respect and confidence that he plays with to this day.