For the first time in three years, former FAU linebacker Frantz Joseph will not spend his summer focusing on the Owl’s upcoming football season. Instead, he will be in California, training with and attempting to make the 53-man roster of the Oakland Raiders.
Joseph, who was named FAU’s 2008-2009 Male Outstanding Athlete of the Year on April 29, has already attended the Raiders’ initial rookie mini-camp and is keeping busy this spring by attending team camps and meetings as well as familiarizing himself with the team’s playbook.
The Fort Lauderdale native signed with the Raiders following the conclusion of the NFL Draft on April 26, but the silver and black were not the only team to express interest in the then-undrafted free agent.
“They called me right after the draft was over with, and they were not the only team; several other teams contacted me also,” says Joseph.
Joseph had offers from the Washington Redskins, the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland’s rival, the Denver Broncos, but ultimately chose to sign with the 2002 Super Bowl finalists due to a combination of factors.
“Just the opportunity I was presented there as far as the depth chart, coaching, just everything. The whole organization I just felt like was a better fit for me,” says Joseph of his decision to sign with the Raiders.
All that is left for Joseph to do now is to impress Oakland’s coaching staff this summer enough to make their final roster, a tough but possible task for undrafted free agents in the NFL. To do that, Joseph needs to be completely focused on football.
“I think he has to continue to be in great physical condition, he needs to get stronger — everybody does — and work on his quickness,” says FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger of what Joseph needs to do to make the Raiders’ final roster.
“He needs to be able to have every moment of available time for him to be practicing, meeting [with coaches] and doing those things that will afford him the best opportunity.”
So far, Joseph has been doing just that.
“I haven’t really got a chance to get out because I was only doing practice and meetings and playbook and sleeping, so there really is no time to get out,” says Joseph.
