Joshua Paschal Bio
Joshua Paschal (born December 17, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end who rose through the college ranks at the University of Kentucky before joining the Detroit Lions. Selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, Paschal has built his early professional career as a defensive lineman in the National Football League. He is recognized for his toughness, his recovery from a serious cancer diagnosis in college, and his steady development along the Lions defensive front.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Paschal was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland, where he played both football and basketball. As a senior, Paschal posted 64 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, drawing attention from major college programs across the country. Rated a four-star recruit, he chose to play college football at Kentucky over offers from Maryland, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Clemson, Ohio State, and Southern California.
Path to American Football
Paschal’s journey to the professional level began on the practice fields of his Maryland high school, where his combination of size and athleticism made him a priority recruit. His commitment to Kentucky connected him with a defensive program eager to develop his pass-rushing skills. The early years in Lexington gave him a steady foundation of discipline and technique, setting the stage for his eventual move to the NFL.
Joshua Paschal Career
Early College Career (2017–2019)
Paschal played in all 13 of Kentucky’s games as a true freshman and finished the season with 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, showing flashes of the player he would become. Before the start of preseason training camp in 2019, he was diagnosed with melanoma on his left foot, a serious health setback that threatened his career. He used a medical redshirt while undergoing treatment but returned to play in the final three games of that season. In his redshirt sophomore year, he recorded 34 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, demonstrating the resilience that has defined his path.
Kentucky Breakthrough (2020–2021)
During his redshirt junior season, Paschal contributed 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception, continuing his steady rise on the defensive line. As a redshirt senior in 2021, he was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press after recording 52 tackles and five sacks. That same year, he earned Second-team All-American honors, cementing his status as one of the top defensive ends in the country. His performance at Kentucky convinced NFL scouts that he was ready for the next level.
Detroit Lions Era (2022–Present)
Paschal was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round, 46th overall, in the 2022 NFL draft, becoming one of the team’s early defensive building blocks. He was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start his rookie season on August 23, 2022, but was activated on October 22 and finished the year contributing on the defensive line. On September 16, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve before being activated on October 21, navigating another injury setback early in his career. Through the 2024 season, Paschal had recorded 62 total tackles, 5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass deflection in his NFL career.
Prior to the 2025 season, Paschal underwent back surgery to address a disc issue that had bothered him during the 2024 campaign, and the ailment caused him to begin the year on the Non-Football Injury list. On November 26, 2025, the Lions chose not to activate Paschal within his return window, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. On March 11, 2026, Paschal was waived by the Lions, opening the next chapter of his professional journey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Paschal is valued for his power at the point of attack, his motor, and his ability to set the edge against the run. His college production included consistent tackle-for-loss numbers, and his NFL role has leaned on run defense and interior pressure. Coaches have praised his work ethic, particularly given the medical hurdles he has cleared, including melanoma treatment and back surgery.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Paschal’s career came in 2019, when he was diagnosed with melanoma on his left foot, underwent treatment, and still returned to play that same season. His 2021 first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors stand as his most decorated collegiate achievements. Being chosen 46th overall in the 2022 NFL draft marked his official arrival at the professional level.
Joshua Paschal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Paschal’s older brother, TraVaughn Paschal, also played football at the University of Kentucky, giving the family a clear connection to the Wildcats program. Growing up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Joshua was surrounded by a family that encouraged athletic development from a young age.
Personal Life
Paschal’s resilience off the field has been a defining part of his personal story, particularly his treatment and recovery from melanoma during his time at Kentucky. He has been open about the importance of perseverance, and his career reflects a steady commitment to his craft. Public details about his marital status, children, and current residence are not broadly documented.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging year for Joshua Paschal, beginning with back surgery to correct a disc problem that had followed him through the 2024 campaign. He was placed on the Non-Football Injury list at the start of the year, keeping him off the active roster while he recovered. The Detroit Lions chose not to activate him within his return window on November 26, 2025, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
His absence left a noticeable gap on the Lions defensive front, where his run-stopping presence and pass-rush depth had been valued in previous seasons. The team’s defensive line adjusted throughout the year without him, while Paschal continued his rehabilitation work. The season’s outcome ultimately led to his release by the Lions in March 2026, opening the door to the next phase of his career.
