OT Davin Joseph Started as Wrestler

Davin Joseph | Senior | Football

NORMAN, Okla. -- Watching senior offensive lineman Davin Joseph on the football field, one might think he has been doing this all his life. Many collegiate athletes start playing in grade school leagues, but not Joseph.

Joseph didn't play organized football until ninth grade. Even though this 312-pound lineman excelled in football during his high school career, Joseph shined in another sport. He also captured two state titles and one national title in wrestling.

"Wrestling was more like a hobby," Joseph said. "It's hard to compete at the collegiate level because the roster is small and, in the Olympics, there are only three spots. There aren't many career options, but with football there are definite opportunities."

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Football has carried him to where he is today. However, when he's not practicing on the field, he's practicing in the kitchen.

Joseph said cooking has become a new hobby and also an adventure. After he graduates, he will have his 2-year-old son, Ali, with him, and dad needs to learn to cook.

"I haven't burnt up the kitchen too much yet," Joseph said. "But I did mess up some pork chops pretty bad."

It seems that isn't the only thing he has had trouble with. He said he often calls his mom for cooking advice, which is exactly what he did when trying to deep fry catfish.

"He called me because the batter wouldn't stay on," Joseph's mother Minnie said laughing. "He had been putting it on wet and I told him it was supposed to be dry."

But like anything, practice makes perfect.

Joseph said he will watch cooking shows and get recipes off the Internet in addition to calling his mother. Don't get the wrong idea because he is not an avid cooking show watcher at this point.

"I just browse through, but we all know who the best is - Emeril," Joseph said. "He's up here though and I'm just on training wheels. I'm not ready for that."

Besides looking to other people for help, Joseph also relies on his own talents.

"Being a big guy, I throw a couple of natural flavors in there," Joseph said jokingly. "But I'm still learning."

Joseph said the best thing he has made is chicken and shrimp fettuccine alfredo.

But apparently not many have had the privilege of tasting his home cooked meals. So far Joseph hasn't invited any teammates over for dinner. Even his mother said she hasn't had a chance to try anything yet.

"I'm not that confident. I've got to work on my skills a little bit more," Joseph said. "Sometimes I'll make something and say 'That tastes pretty good', but I'm kind of biased."

Lack of experience has not hindered Joseph in the past. Whether it's football or cooking, Joseph is sure to have success. Who knows, maybe one day he will have his own cooking show. But for now, football seems to be Joseph's calling.

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Sooner Feature by Heather Maxwell
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