St. Matthew High School grad Katley Joseph started eight games for the University of Maine Black Bears as a freshman this season. File photo

Katley Joseph has beaten the odds when it comes to suiting up as a regular in his first NCAA football season.

Most freshmen see a lot of practice time, rarely get a sniff of real game action and in some cases are red-shirted to save a year of eligibility Joseph knew he was facing unlikely odds to crack the starting roster when he committed to the University of Maine Black Bears in November 2017. But the St. Matthew High School graduate was focused and determined on making the team as a starting defensive back from the opening kick-off.

“Coming out of high school, I knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go,” Joseph said. “Committing to the University of Maine was the right move for me. The Black Bears gave me the opportunity to earn a spot in the starting roster right away, which I took advantage of through hard work over the summer and in training camp.”

The four-time MVP for the St. Matt Tigers was a highly touted high school prospect. In addition to being a multiple most valuable player, Joseph was named a NCAFA Eastern All-Star team member on four different occasions as a defensive back.

Joseph was ranked as the top defensive back in Ontario, possessing excellent physical ability along with excellent skills reading plays and recognizing offensive formations.

Prior to his senior year of high school, Joseph showed the NCAA recruiters what all the fuss surrounding him was about when he, his brother and a few football buddies headed down to a showcase at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He was up against some pretty stiff competition in the form of high end American-born players, but Joseph stood out with his solid play.

Katley made an immediate impression with the University of Maine coaching staff and was offered a full scholarship the same day. After graduating from high school last December, the Orléans native made the move to Orono, Maine, in January to get a head start on his college career.

“I enrolled in January to make a smooth transition from living in Orleans and attending high school to living in the United States and being an NCAA student-athlete,” Joseph explained.

“Going early definitely gave me an advantage because being a full-time student and playing varsity football is a busy schedule. Getting a handle on school and living away from home in another country was an adjustment.”

The 5-foot-9, 174 lb. communications major suited up for eight out of 10 games for the Black Bears this season, picking up 14 solo tackles and one interception.

On Dec. 1, Joseph helped the Black Bears to a 55-27 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, giving the university its first-ever home playoff win.

Maine’s next opponent is Weber State. The two teams will meet in the Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals in Ogden, Utah on Dec. 8.