Joseph excited about options

Pascagoula (Miss.) defensive end Keith Joseph Jr. has gotten off to a quick start on the recruiting front.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound defensive end has already picked up a few offers and he is excitedly soaking in everything he can as the process begins.

"Well I have several offers. I have one from Arizona State, Cincinnati, ULL, and Louisville," Joseph said. "I think it's a great opportunity for me to have those offers and for me to play ball and hopefully during the spring it's going to pick up. I'm just very blessed and I want to thank God for the opportunities I have."

After visiting Southern Miss on Saturday it appears the Golden Eagles could also be close to offering, and as spring approaches, Joseph is making plans to check out a few more college campuses.

"I'm supposed to be going to Ole Miss, (Mississippi) State, and I'm going to go visit Cincinnati and a couple of more schools," Joseph said.

Joseph is quick to say he is wide open when it comes to the recruiting process, and does not list any leaders at this time. However, he does not deny a close connection with Mississippi State with his father, Keith Joseph, playing for the Bulldogs.

"Yes, I have a connection but I'm not going to choose them just because my dad went there," Joseph said. "I'm going to choose what's best for me and wherever I feel like I have a good connection that's where I'm going to go."

In addition to a strong connection to the coaches, staff, and college, Joseph also has a few more factors he will be paying close attention to as he prepares to narrow in on a college choice.

"Education is a big deal," Joseph said. "If they care for us that's a big deal in the education part. But I also want someone who is going to help me at my position, and if they have the same scheme that I need to play in that's a great deal."

When can Joseph's college choice be expected?

"I'm going to wait until the final day," Joseph said. "I don't feel like I want to tell anyone. I want it to be my decision."