2019 • JUNIOR SEASON
Season: Appeared in three games.
Idaho (8/31): Recorded two tackles, including a solo sack. Buffalo (9/7): Assisted on two tackles...Registered a half-tackle for loss.
2018 • SOPHOMORE SEASON
Season: Appeared in 13 games.
Appalachian State (9/1): Played on defense...Assisted on one tackle. at Pittsburgh (9/8): Tied a career high with four tackles...Added a sack, causing a 9-yard loss. Kent State (9/15): Assisted on a tackle and broke up a pass. at Illinois (9/21): Assisted on a tackle. Ohio State (9/29): Made two tackles. at Rutgers (11/17): Recovered a fumble in the third quarter, the first recovery of his career...Assisted on one tackle. Maryland (11/24): Recorded two tackles.
2017 • REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON
Season: Appeared in eight games...Made collegiate debut vs. Akron (9/2)...One of 24 student-athletes to make their collegiate debut...One of 17 freshmen (14 redshirt, 3 true) to appear in 2017.
Georgia State (9/16): Totaled three tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks...Forced his first career fumble while sacking Panther quarterback Aaron Winchester in the fourth quarter to cap a five-turnover night for the Penn State defense...Collected his first career tackle for loss in the second quarter. Indiana (9/30): Tallied four stops in the fourth quarter...Logged a solo tackle for loss of Cole Gest on the Hoosiers’ final drive. at Northwestern (10/7): Had one tackle. at Maryland (11/25): Posted three tackles...Had 1.5 tackles for loss, including a combined sack of Max Bortenschlager with Ellison Jordan in the fourth quarter.
2016 • TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON
Redshirt season.
HIGH SCHOOL
Three-time letterman for head coach Robin Bowkett at Lake Forest Academy...Selected as captain his senior year...Invited to the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl...Selected to the 2015 News-Gazette All-State special mention team...Named 2015 Chicago Tribune’s All-State special mention...Was the Catholic Red Division Defensive MVP in 2015...Selected as team MVP as a senior...Had 72 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 25 tackles for loss and two interceptions as a defensive lineman and had 10 receiving touchdowns as as tight end...Caught 26 pass for 498 yards and eight touchdowns as a tight end during his junior season...Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and 247Sports and a three-star prospect by Rivals and Scout...Ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 player in Illinois, No. 6 regional player and No. 11 defensive end in the country...Rated as the third-ranked player in Illinois and 11th-ranked strong-side defensive end in the country by 247Sports...Ranked as the No. 13 recruit in Illinois by Rivals and the No. 7 defensive end in the Midwest by Scout...Played varsity basketball for four years...Served as team captain his senior year.
PERSONAL
Full name is Daniel Joseph...Son of Grace Ekakitie and Charles Joseph...Has two brothers, Love Joseph and Faith Ekakite, and one sister, Anniemarie Joseph...Brother, Faith Ekakite, played defensive line at Iowa and was the No. 1 pick of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2017 Canadian Football League Draft...Cousin, Ese Mrabure-Ajufo, played for the BC Lions of the CFL in 2015...Hobbies include watching "Grey's Anatomy" and "Friday Night Lights," cooking, going for walks and watching movies...Majoring in labor and employment relations...Would like to work as a consultant for a firm in Chicago or be an accountant or personal management advisor for businesses...Born March 12, 1997 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.