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Karl Joseph evolving into surer tackler: ‘Not everything has to be a thump’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Marquis Goodwin lying knocked out on the turf at Texas. Oklahoma’s Justin Brown playing the body in a body-slam. BJ Catalon stumbling toward TCU’s sideline with a concussion.

All made wobbly by one missile of a man: West Virginia safety Karl Joseph.

The Big 12’s fiercest hitter savors a reputation he built blow-by-bruising blow over the past three seasons. After all, what 5-foot-11 college football player wouldn’t like to be feared? Among Joseph’s 264 career tackles, a lot of ballcarriers have nearly swallowed their mouthpieces.

Improving his NFL draft stock, however, might mean fewer highlight hits as a senior.