West Virginia loses star safety Karl Joseph for the year

Joseph is now second on the team in tackles and had five interceptions in four games.

Who knows where Joseph goes in the draft, but West Virginia’s improved defense will likely take a step back.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he received word from the Big 12 that officials should’ve called targeting last Saturday against West Virginia safety Karl Joseph.

“He exemplifies what it means to be a Mountaineer”. Through four games this season, Tyler has four tackles and one interception.

Joseph, an All-American candidate, injured his knee in practice this week and is out for the year.

“Karl is an All-American, a fierce competitor, a leader and I know he will have a full recovery, and I can’t wait to watch him on Sundays next fall”, Holgorsen said.

West Virginia plays Oklahoma State on Saturday at home in a Big 12 game.

Joseph sports a compact frame and shows little regard for his own welfare, exploding into ball-carriers.

On a WVU depth chart released Wednesday night, two players were listed at starting strong safety: Jarrod Harper or Jeremy Tyler. #WVU star safety Karl Joseph with the “clean” monster hit to break up the deep ball.

Harper, a redshirt junior, missed most of spring and summer football conditioning/practices while recovering from a shoulder injury endured during the 2014-15 season. That ranking improved to 92nd in 2013, and then 53rd in 2014. He also looked like he could contend for the conference’s defensive player of the year award.

He developed a reputation for being one of the hardest hitters in all of college football as the enforcer of the Mountaineers’ secondary.