Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Joshua Josephs is an American professional football player who plays as an outside linebacker for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). His full name is Joshua Kalebe Josephs, and he grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, in a family with strong Jamaican roots. He attended North Cobb High School before playing college football at the University of Tennessee. The Washington Commanders selected him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Beyond his professional football career, Joshua Josephs comes from a large, close-knit family. His mother is Patricia Josephs, a Jamaican-born entrepreneur who owns a restaurant in Kennesaw, Georgia. His father passed away when Joshua was young, and he grew up surrounded by several brothers and sisters. Official Tennessee records identify six siblings, while separate reporting indicates that he is the youngest of eight children. Although his family background has received considerable attention, information about his current girlfriend, marital status and whether he has children remains limited.
Joshua Josephs’ Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Joshua Josephs has generally maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships, although he previously confirmed having a girlfriend during his high school years.
In November 2021, while discussing his commitment to the University of Tennessee, Josephs revealed that his girlfriend had accompanied him on a recruiting visit to the university.
According to an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Tennessee football coverage, he appreciated how the coaching staff welcomed both his family and girlfriend during the recruitment process.
Josephs specifically praised linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary for maintaining regular communication with his mother and making his loved ones feel included.
His comments establish that he was in a romantic relationship during the college recruiting process. However, the interview did not identify his girlfriend by name.
Since joining Tennessee and entering professional football, Josephs has not made a widely documented announcement identifying a current romantic partner.
His public interviews have primarily focused on football, family traditions, education, cooking and his journey to the NFL.
As of now, Joshua Josephs’ current girlfriend has not been publicly confirmed. Although he acknowledged having a girlfriend in 2021, there is insufficient reliable information to determine whether that relationship continued.
Is Joshua Josephs Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Joshua Josephs is married or has a wife.
His official University of Tennessee and Washington Commanders biographies do not identify a spouse.
Similarly, established sports publications have not documented a wedding announcement involving the linebacker.
Although Josephs previously discussed having a girlfriend during high school, that relationship does not establish his current marital status.
As of now, Joshua Josephs has no publicly confirmed wife.
Joshua Josephs’ Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
Joshua Josephs has no publicly confirmed children.
Despite receiving national attention following his selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders linebacker has not made a widely documented announcement identifying a son or daughter.
His official college football biography includes information about his mother, brothers and sisters but does not identify any children.
Reliable sports reporting about his personal life has also not independently established that he is a father.
Most publicly available information about his family concerns his Jamaican heritage, his relationship with his mother and the support provided by his siblings.
As of now, there is insufficient verified public information to establish whether Joshua Josephs has any children.
Joshua Josephs’ Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Joshua Josephs was raised in a Jamaican-American family in Kennesaw, Georgia.
His mother is Patricia Josephs, a Jamaican-born restaurant owner who has played an important role in supporting his athletic development.
His father died in an accident when Joshua was young, according to reporting published during his college football recruitment.
Although his mother’s identity has been established through official university records and interviews, his father’s name has not been reliably documented in the sources reviewed.
Patricia Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Mother
Patricia Josephs is the mother of Washington Commanders outside linebacker Joshua Josephs and one of the most influential figures in his life.
Originally from Jamaica, Patricia eventually established her family in Georgia, where she raised her children while maintaining strong connections to Jamaican traditions.
Her identity is confirmed in the official University of Tennessee football biography of Joshua Josephs.
In April 2026, Atlanta television station WSB-TV published an interview with Patricia and Joshua ahead of the NFL Draft.
The report revealed that Patricia owns Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe, a restaurant in Kennesaw, Georgia, specializing in Jamaican cuisine.
Her passion for cooking became an important part of the family’s daily life.
Joshua explained that he learned many cooking techniques by watching his mother prepare traditional Jamaican dishes.
Among the foods he particularly enjoys are fried plantains, dumplings, jerk chicken and brown stew dishes.
Patricia encouraged her children to learn how to cook, helping preserve their family’s Jamaican culinary traditions.
During the interview, she expressed pride in Joshua’s athletic achievements and recalled that he had displayed natural sporting ability since early childhood.
According to Patricia, Joshua was competitive in several activities, including football, basketball and track and field.
Although his professional career eventually became focused on American football, his mother believed his athletic potential had been evident from a young age.
She also emphasized that, regardless of his NFL achievements, Joshua would always remain her youngest child.
Her support became especially meaningful when the Washington Commanders selected him in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Patricia Josephs’ Restaurant: Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe
Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe is a restaurant in Kennesaw, Georgia, owned by Joshua Josephs’ mother, Patricia Josephs.
The restaurant became part of the family’s story during WSB-TV’s April 2026 coverage of the football player’s preparation for the NFL Draft.
According to the report, Joshua grew up learning about Jamaican culture through his mother’s cooking.
The family’s shared meals provided opportunities for relatives to spend time together and maintain connections to their heritage.
Joshua has also developed his own interest in preparing traditional Jamaican dishes.
In an August 2025 interview with WVLT, he explained that he had been practicing cooking brown stew chicken, one of the dishes associated with his family’s culinary traditions.
Cooking therefore represents more than a hobby for Josephs. It is an activity that connects him to his mother, siblings and Jamaican background.
Who Was Joshua Josephs’ Father?
Joshua Josephs’ father died when the football player was young.
His father’s death was discussed in a November 2021 Sports Illustrated article examining Josephs’ decision to commit to the University of Tennessee.
According to the publication, Josephs lost his father in a tragic accident during his childhood.
The experience contributed to the importance he placed on family support when evaluating college football programs.
During Tennessee’s recruitment process, Josephs appreciated the way the coaching staff communicated with his mother and brothers.
He explained that the attention shown to his family helped convince him that Tennessee was the right place to continue his football career.
Although the loss of his father is documented, the available reporting does not reliably establish his father’s full name, occupation or the precise circumstances of the accident.
As of now, Joshua Josephs’ father remains publicly unnamed in the verified sources reviewed.
Joshua Josephs’ Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Joshua Josephs grew up in a large family with several brothers and sisters.
According to an August 2025 interview published by WVLT, Josephs described having four sisters and three brothers, making him the youngest of eight children.
His official University of Tennessee biography identifies two brothers named Kapel and Iziah and four sisters named Raina, Murphy, Kemoy and Molanda.
These records establish six siblings by name, while the WVLT report indicates that he has a seventh sibling, another brother whose name is not listed in the university biography.
Josephs has discussed how growing up with several older siblings helped shape his personality, interests and competitive approach to sports.
Kapel Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Brother
Kapel is one of Joshua Josephs’ publicly identified brothers.
His name appears in the University of Tennessee’s official football biography of Joshua, alongside the names of his other family members.
Although their relationship is documented, Kapel has generally remained outside national sports media coverage.
Information about his age, occupation, education and personal relationships has not been widely established through reliable sources.
Iziah Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Brother
Iziah is another publicly identified brother of Washington Commanders linebacker Joshua Josephs.
His name is confirmed in Tennessee’s official player biography.
Josephs has spoken about the importance of communicating with his brothers when making major football decisions, including his commitment to Tennessee.
However, established reporting does not provide sufficient information to attribute specific conversations or activities to Iziah individually.
His occupation, age and other personal details remain largely private.
Raina Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Sister
Raina is one of Joshua Josephs’ four publicly identified sisters.
Her name appears in the official University of Tennessee football biography of her brother.
Like the other members of the Josephs family, Raina belongs to a household with strong Jamaican cultural connections.
However, reliable public information about her education, occupation and personal relationships is limited.
Murphy Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Sister
Murphy is another sister of NFL linebacker Joshua Josephs.
Her name is listed in the University of Tennessee’s official family information.
Joshua has explained that his mother taught the children how to prepare meals, including traditional Jamaican recipes.
Although these family traditions have been publicly discussed, Murphy’s individual activities and professional background have not been extensively documented.
Kemoy Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Sister
Kemoy is one of the sisters identified in Joshua Josephs’ official college football biography.
Her relationship to Joshua is established through University of Tennessee records.
Beyond that confirmation, information about Kemoy’s age, education and career remains outside the available public record.
She has not received the same level of national media attention as her NFL-playing brother.
Molanda Josephs: Joshua Josephs’ Sister
Molanda is another publicly documented sister of Joshua Josephs.
She is identified in the University of Tennessee’s official player biography.
Although Joshua has spoken about growing up with several siblings, he has generally avoided sharing detailed information about each family member’s personal life.
As a result, Molanda’s age, occupation and other personal details have not been reliably established.
Does Joshua Josephs Have Another Brother?
Yes, according to WVLT’s August 2025 interview, Josephs has three brothers and four sisters.
However, his University of Tennessee biography names only two brothers, Kapel and Iziah.
These sources therefore differ in the level of detail they provide about his siblings.
The available reporting supports the existence of a third brother, but his name has not been conclusively identified in the official sources reviewed.
Joshua Josephs’ Jamaican Heritage and Family Traditions
Joshua Josephs has openly expressed pride in his Jamaican heritage.
Although he grew up in Georgia, his mother comes from Jamaica, and several members of his family have connections to the Caribbean country.
During a November 2021 interview about his commitment to Tennessee, Josephs identified being Jamaican as one of the important things people should know about him.
His cultural background also influences his life away from football.
In August 2025, he told WVLT that cooking was an important family activity and that his mother had taught many of the children how to prepare meals.
In April 2026, WSB-TV explored the connection between football, faith, family and food in the Josephs household.
The family’s traditions were described through four central values: food, faith, family and football.
These values helped create the environment in which Joshua developed his interests and ambitions.
Even after leaving Georgia for college football in Tennessee, he continued practicing Jamaican cooking techniques and maintaining connections to his family’s traditions.
Joshua Josephs’ Family Connections in College Football
Joshua Josephs is not the only member of his extended family to participate in college football.
His cousin, Branden Palmer, also pursued the sport at Georgia Southern University.
Palmer’s official Georgia Southern football biography identifies Joshua Josephs as his cousin.
Palmer played as a defensive lineman after attending high school in North Carolina.
Their relationship provides another example of the Josephs family’s connections to competitive athletics.
However, detailed information about their personal relationship or involvement in each other’s football development has not been extensively documented.
Joshua Josephs’ Early Life and High School Career
Joshua Kalebe Josephs grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he attended North Cobb High School.
He developed into a talented defensive football player and attracted the attention of major college programs.
His size, speed and athleticism helped him become one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in Georgia.
At North Cobb, Josephs became a team captain and helped the school win consecutive region championships.
According to his official University of Tennessee biography, he recorded 98 tackles and four sacks during his junior season.
As a senior, he produced 104 tackles and six sacks while leading a defense that allowed an average of just 17.5 points per game.
His performances earned first-team all-state and all-county recognition.
Josephs received scholarship offers from numerous NCAA Division I programs, including several schools in the Southeastern Conference.
He eventually committed to the University of Tennessee in November 2021.
During his recruitment, he emphasized the importance of the coaching staff’s relationship with his family, especially his mother.
Joshua Josephs’ College Football Career at Tennessee
Joshua Josephs played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2022 through 2025.
He joined the program in June 2022 and immediately began developing his skills as an edge defender.
During his freshman season, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 12 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
His first career sack came against LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who later became his teammate with the Washington Commanders.
Josephs continued improving during the following seasons and eventually established himself as a starter.
In 2024, he recorded 39 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
His performances included a strong game against Oklahoma, when he received SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week recognition.
During the 2025 season, Josephs started 11 games and recorded 33 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
He finished his Tennessee career with 104 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Beyond football, Josephs completed his bachelor’s degree in communication studies in December 2025.
His performances earned him an invitation to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where he demonstrated the physical abilities that attracted professional teams.
Joshua Josephs’ NFL Career With the Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders selected Joshua Josephs with the 147th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The selection represented a major achievement for Josephs and his family, particularly his mother Patricia, who had supported his athletic ambitions throughout childhood.
Josephs celebrated the draft surrounded by relatives and friends in Atlanta, Georgia.
His selection also created an unusual football connection because Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels had been the first player Josephs sacked during his college career.
In April 2026, the Commanders published an article describing five important facts about their new outside linebacker.
One of the stories concerned his mother’s admiration for head coach Dan Quinn.
According to Josephs, Patricia had become a fan of Quinn during his years coaching the Atlanta Falcons.
When Josephs visited Washington’s facilities before the draft, he took a photograph with Quinn to share with his mother.
The moment became particularly special when Washington eventually selected him.
Josephs joined the Commanders wearing jersey number 48 and began competing for a role on the team’s defense.
In June 2026, he explained that his approach to professional football was based on continuously proving himself through preparation and effort.
His journey from North Cobb High School to the NFL reflects years of determination and support from his family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua Josephs’ Family
Who is Joshua Josephs’ girlfriend?
Joshua Josephs confirmed having a girlfriend during his college recruitment in 2021, but he did not reveal her name. His current relationship status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Is Joshua Josephs married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Joshua Josephs is married or has a wife.
Does Joshua Josephs have children?
Joshua Josephs has no publicly confirmed children. Reliable reporting has not established whether he has a son or daughter.
Who is Joshua Josephs’ mother?
Joshua Josephs’ mother is Patricia Josephs, a Jamaican-born entrepreneur who owns Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Who is Joshua Josephs’ father?
Joshua Josephs’ father died in an accident when Joshua was young, according to reporting published during his college recruitment. His father’s name has not been reliably established.
How many siblings does Joshua Josephs have?
According to WVLT, Joshua Josephs has seven siblings: three brothers and four sisters. He is the youngest of eight children.
What are the names of Joshua Josephs’ siblings?
His official Tennessee biography identifies six siblings by name: Kapel, Iziah, Raina, Murphy, Kemoy and Molanda. A seventh sibling, another brother, is mentioned in WVLT reporting but is not named in the university biography.
Is Joshua Josephs Jamaican?
Joshua Josephs is an American football player with Jamaican family roots. His mother, Patricia Josephs, is originally from Jamaica.
What restaurant does Joshua Josephs’ mother own?
Patricia Josephs owns Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe, a Jamaican restaurant in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Who is Joshua Josephs’ cousin?
Joshua Josephs is a cousin of Branden Palmer, a college football player whose official Georgia Southern University biography confirms their relationship.
What is Joshua Josephs’ full name?
His full name is Joshua Kalebe Josephs, according to the University of Tennessee’s official football biography.
Where is Joshua Josephs from?
Joshua Josephs grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he attended North Cobb High School.
Which college did Joshua Josephs attend?
Joshua Josephs attended the University of Tennessee, where he played college football from 2022 through 2025.
Which NFL team does Joshua Josephs play for?
Joshua Josephs plays outside linebacker for the Washington Commanders. He was selected with the 147th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
