4-Star WR Nathaniel Joseph wants to be part of bringing Miami back to the top

Nathaniel Joseph committed to Clemson last September. When he made that decision, Miami wasn’t too involved with his recruitment.

After being committed to the Tigers for just over nine months, the No. 119 prospect in the On3 Consensus opened his recruitment back up. At that time, Miami was heavily involved with the playmaker out of Miami Edison.

Since Mario Cristobal took over the program in Coral Gables, the Hurricanes have made the four-star wide receiver a priority. That meant something to Joseph.

He gave the local school a chance. Joseph grew up a big Miami fan, so he was there for the taking, and Cristobal took advantage of that.

“I grew up a Canes fan, so it has always been my dream to play for the University of Miami,” Joseph told On3. “It is simple; the last staff didn’t do their job. They didn’t really recruit me at all. They made it easy for me to go elsewhere. It was so easy for me to say I wanted to go to Clemson, but deep down inside, I always wanted to be a Cane.

“As soon as coach Cristobal become the head coach at Miami, I became his No. 1 priority. From the time he got off the jet in Miami, he has been coming after me hard. The whole staff has been after me nonstop. I love how they operate, I love how they came after me, and it is now the best situation for me.

“It is like a dream coming true. I am committed to Miami.”

Miami worked hard to get Joseph in this recruiting class

The way Clemson operates is a little different. When a recruit commits to Clemson, they are expected to only visit Clemson. Joseph lives right down the street from Miami, so it was easy to access, and he had to quietly take visits.

While committed to Clemson, Joseph was at Miami’s spring game. He was at a couple of spring practices. He took a handful of visits while committed and he did what he felt he had to do.

“I really respect Clemson, so I took quiet visits and didn’t want it blasted all over, but I wanted to give my hometown school a chance,” Joseph said. “It was a new staff, so I wanted to meet the coaches and see how they operate. They were on me hard, they deserved a chance, and that is really where it started with me and Miami.”

The was Cristobal, Josh Gattis, and the staff in Coral Gables recruited the No. 19 wide receiver in the country made all the difference.

“This happened over time it was not a decision that was made as soon as Cristobal got there. They worked for me. They did their job. The staff recruited me hard. They put the time in with me, my parents, and this was all about how hard they worked to get me.

“I was locked in with Clemson at one time, so it took time. The new staff stepped in, they really stepped it up, and over time, Miami just moved up my list. It was not easy, and I still have a lot of respect for Clemson, but Miami worked for this.

“I know they want me.”

Joseph is ready for Miami to get back to the top

If you talk to Joseph, you can hear the excitement in his voice about the future at Miami. He is a big believer in Cristobal. The new head coach lived it and won many games when he played for the Hurricanes and the new commit is confident in those winning ways coming back.

“I definitely know Cristobal is going to bring it back,” Joseph said. “Me, Jaden Rashada, and this class is going to be what brings the program back. We are Cristobal’s kids.

“We are going to pack this recruiting class up and come in and try to take some jobs so we can get things rolling at Miami. We are loading up guys and that is how the old Miami was.

“The players were always worried about the new guys coming in and taking their jobs. They stacked talent and that is what we are going to do. Everyone will push each other and it will keep the best on the field. That is how you bring Miami to life and win national championships.

“The 2023 class is what Cristobal is banking on to change things.”

Joseph is excited about what is a part of. He has met with Gattis about his role, the fit in the offense, and he cannot wait for that opportunity.

“Coach Gattis has shown me film from Alabama and Michigan, so I know he has a vision for me. From the jet sweeps to simple screens to working out of the backfield – he has a plan. He showed me Jaylen Waddle, guys at Michigan, his vision, and it will be on me to be what they want to coach and work with. I will come in, work hard, and work my way up.”

This decision is what Joseph feels is best for him. He is not worried about the rumors or what is said on social media. Joseph is about one thing – being a Miami Hurricane. He knows where his future is at and why he’s going there.

“This decision is much deeper than NIL or anything like that. People can think what they want, but I always wanted to go where I was most comfortable and where I could make the biggest impact. Miami is where I am most comfortable at.

“At one time, it was Clemson, but in my heart, Miami was still there. The new staff came in, things changed, and I am staying home. Miami is where I want to be and that is it.”