Linval Joseph Bio
Linval Clement Joseph (born October 10, 1988) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round, 46th overall, of the 2010 NFL draft. Across more than a decade in the National Football League, Joseph has played for the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys, building a reputation as a durable and powerful run-stopper.
Early Life and Background
Linval Clement Joseph was born on October 10, 1988, in Christiansted, Saint Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He grew up with an early passion for athletics, which would later shape his path toward football. As a young man, Joseph relocated to the mainland United States to pursue his sporting interests.
He attended Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, where he was a four-year letterman in football for the Raiders. He earned two-time All-state honors in Class AAA as a junior and senior, along with All-region recognition. In addition to football, Joseph lettered three times in both powerlifting and track and field, collecting ten varsity letters. He captured the Florida State Bench Press Championship as a junior with a 415-pound lift and the Florida State Weightlifting Championship with a 320-pound clean jerk, and he once won a state shot put title.
Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Joseph was ranked as the 44th-best defensive tackle nationally and the 59th-ranked recruit from the state of Florida in the 2007 recruiting class. He was also viewed as one of the top 500 overall prospects in the country, with evaluators projecting professional potential.
Path to American Football
Joseph’s path to professional football began at East Carolina University, where he played from 2007 to 2009 under the East Carolina Pirates program. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games with four starts and recording 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five quarterback hurries. He was named to the 2007 Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
As a sophomore in 2008, Joseph started the final nine games and finished among the team’s top ten tacklers with 43 stops, eight of which went for a loss of 34 yards. He earned honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition and helped the Pirates force 33 turnovers, which ranked seventh in the nation. In 2009, his junior season, he appeared in all 14 games and posted 60 tackles, three sacks, and 13 tackles for loss. He was named first-team All-Conference USA before declaring early for the 2010 NFL draft.
Linval Joseph Career
Early Career (2010)
Linval Clement Joseph was selected by the New York Giants with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft and signed his rookie contract on July 31, 2010. He was inactive for 10 games as a rookie and played in only six contests, finishing the year with eight combined tackles. He made his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears in Week 4 and recorded a season-best five solo stops against the Green Bay Packers on December 26.
New York Giants Breakthrough (2011-2013)
In his second season, Joseph moved into a full-time starting role, starting 15 games and playing in all 16. He notched his first career sack on October 30 against Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore, and he recorded a season-high nine solo tackles against the Green Bay Packers in Week 13.
Joseph started in Super Bowl XLVI and recorded two tackles as the Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17, claiming a championship. During the 2011 playoff run, the Giants defense held the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots to an average of 14 points per game. The following year, he started all 16 games for the first time, posting a career-high 59 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble. He capped his Giants tenure in 2013 with 59 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 15 starts.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2014-2019)
On March 11, 2014, Joseph signed a five-year, $31.5 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, including $12.5 million in guarantees. He finished his first Vikings season with three sacks, 47 total tackles, and one pass defensed across 16 starts. He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2015 after a 21-18 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the first Vikings defensive tackle to win the award in over a decade.
Joseph was selected to his first Pro Bowl in January 2017 as an injury replacement, becoming the first Vikings defensive tackle chosen since Kevin Williams in 2010. On August 5, 2017, he signed a four-year, $50 million extension with $31.5 million guaranteed, and he was named to his second straight Pro Bowl in January 2018. In 2018, Joseph scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on a 65-yard fumble recovery against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was released by the Vikings on March 13, 2020.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2020-2021)
On March 30, 2020, Joseph signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He appeared in and started all 16 games in 2020, recording 62 total tackles. The following season, he started 12 of 14 games played and added 57 total tackles and one sack.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2022)
On November 16, 2022, Joseph agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in eight regular season games, posting 20 total tackles and half a sack. During the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, he recovered a key fumble forced by linebacker Haason Reddick, helping set up a key Eagles scoring drive. The Eagles went on to lose Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023)
On November 2, 2023, Joseph signed a one-year deal worth up to $3.72 million with the Buffalo Bills. He played in seven games and recorded one sack during the 2023 season.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024-Present)
On August 27, 2024, Joseph signed a one-year contract worth $2.5 million with the Dallas Cowboys. In the 2024 season, he finished with two sacks, 19 tackles, and one forced fumble, contributing as a veteran presence along the defensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Linval Joseph has long been recognized for his combination of size, power, and leverage at the defensive tackle position. Standing 6 ft 4 in and listed at around 328 pounds, he excels at occupying multiple blockers and clogging running lanes, freeing up linebackers to make plays. His background in powerlifting and track and field translates to explosive initial quickness off the snap and a strong anchor against double-teams. He has also demonstrated the ability to push the pocket as an interior pass rusher, particularly during his peak years in Minnesota.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Linval Joseph’s career was his start in Super Bowl XLVI, where the Giants upset the New England Patriots 21-17 to win the championship. He earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2016 and 2017, becoming the first Vikings defensive tackle honored in nearly a decade. In 2018, he scored his first career touchdown on a 65-yard fumble recovery against the Philadelphia Eagles. In August 2014, he was one of nine people shot at a Minneapolis nightclub, suffering a minor calf injury, and he returned to action the same season.
Linval Joseph Career Wins
Linval Joseph’s win totals are most clearly defined at the team level, where he has been part of multiple playoff and championship-caliber defenses. His standout team achievement remains Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants. He has also been part of playoff teams with the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL Highlights
Joseph’s most celebrated NFL highlight is his role in the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI victory following the 2011 season. With the Minnesota Vikings, he earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2016 and 2017 and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in 2015. His first career touchdown came on a 65-yard fumble recovery in 2018. Through the 2024 season, he has recorded 28.5 career sacks, 695 total tackles, 9 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 1 defensive touchdown.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Joseph was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2009 and a Conference USA All-Freshman Team honoree in 2007. In high school, he was a two-time Florida Class AAA All-state pick and a state shot put champion.
Linval Joseph Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Linval Joseph was born and raised in Christiansted, Saint Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He later moved to Alachua, Florida, where he attended Santa Fe High School. Public details about his parents and siblings are limited.
Personal Life
Joseph is widely known by the nickname “Big Goon,” reflected in his social media handle. He is an American citizen and has spent much of his professional career in the United States. Detailed public information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
As of early 2025, Linval Joseph is a member of the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year contract signed in August 2024. He finished the 2024 regular season with two sacks, 19 tackles, and one forced fumble, offering veteran depth along the defensive interior. With the contract running through 2025, his role and roster status heading into the new season will depend on offseason decisions by the Cowboys.
Joseph’s extensive experience, including two Pro Bowl seasons and a Super Bowl title, positions him as a respected presence in the locker room. The Cowboys’ defensive line rotation and any potential contract extension or release will shape his 2025 outlook. Given his durability and track record, he remains a candidate to contribute as a rotational defensive tackle if he remains with the team.