University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Triple Threat
Dec 10, 2020 | Football
UofM star on the defensive line relishes roles on offense, special teams.
While opponents may be alarmed to occasionally see a 275-pound defensive lineman make an appearance on the University of Memphis offense, Joseph 'JoJo' Dorceus sees it as a natural extension of his talents.
When the Tigers – and Dorceus – play their final 2020 regular-season game against Houston at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Dorceus likely will be found at his familiar spot on the UofM's defensive line. No doubt, he'll be lobbying for another look in the Tigers' backfield.
"It was something I looked forward to," Dorceus said of getting opportunities on offense, mostly in short-yardage, jumbo-package situations on the goal line. "I've been playing both sides of the ball ever since I started playing football.
"Being versatile is a trademark of my game. And coming here and being able to continue (contributing on offense), has been exciting. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to score a touchdown. Hopefully, I'll get a shot."
Dorceus, who joined the program as a walk-on, came close as a redshirt sophomore, hauling in a short pass from quarterback Brady White and getting to the ECU 1-yard line. It set up a touchdown run by Tony Pollard.
"My brother (Doroland) was a running back here (from 2013-17), and I always wanted to play some offense," he said. "I had 19 rushing touchdowns my senior year of high school (Spring High in Spring, Texas). I always hinted at running the ball when I talked to my coaches. I put it in the coach's ear."
When former coach Mike Norvell changed Dorceus' jersey number early in his career from 54 to 94 – making him eligible to be an offensive participant – Dorceus realized his campaigning had been successful.
"I remember the day he told me, 'I'm going to change your number to an eligible number,'" Dorceus said. "(Norvell) asked me what number I wanted. I had worn No. 94 in high school so I said 94. That's when he said, 'We're going to see if we can get you on the offensive side.'"
As a senior at Spring High, Dorceus said he was recruited to play running back by several junior colleges. But the opportunity to play on the same team with his brother made Memphis the only option for him, even if he had to begin his career as a walk-on.
"I couldn't pass up on that," he said. "No matter if I was going to get to play offense or not. That was a no brainer."
Dorceus has gained most of his attention on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, he earned All-American Athletic Conference honorable mention recognition as an integral part of a team that won its first outright AAC Championship. Dorceus finished with 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
This year, he has recorded 7.5 tackles for loss to become the career leader in the category with 34, or a half sack more than Austin Hall.
On offense, he said he has lined up for "about 50 to 60 snaps" mostly as a blocking back. He has two receptions for eight yards.
On special teams, he has one rush for 25 yards, coming on a fake punt against Arkansas State in the season-opener.
"It was one of those plays where I remember saying to myself: 'Now coach (Ryan Silverfield) has seen me run the ball, maybe he'll give it to me more,'" Dorceus said.
While Dorceus executed the run to perfection on the fake punt, special teams coach Pete Lembo said there has been more to Dorceus' worth on the unit.
"He's been an integral part of our special teams for two years," Lembo said. "He's a natural there (upback) in terms of technique and the ability to move his feet and strike people. And he's smart enough to understand the different protections and where he fits in."
And, of course, there's that additional threat.
"He's also got natural ball skills and great quickness for a guy his size," Lembo said. "To have a guy back there who is, No. 1, in an eligible number to run the ball and catch passes is a big deal because it forces opponents to be aware and more cautious when it comes to coming after punts."
Silverfield calls him the "ultimate competitor" because of his ability to play, and contribute, at multiple positions.
"He's a tough guy, and tough guys usually make it," Silverfield said. "I think he has a chance, in the future, as a fullback at the next level because of his movement skills and his ball skills. I'm glad he convinced us to put him there a few years ago."
Defensive line coach Kyle Pope, in his first season at the UofM, said what has impressed him about Dorceus is "he may not be the tallest and he may not be the strongest, but when you get him on the field you quickly see the caliber of player he is."
"In the locker room, the guys respect him," Pope said. "They like working with him. He is going to give you everything he has."
Regardless of whether he'll get any more opportunities on offense (against Houston or in the bowl game), he'll cherish his career at the UofM and all the moments he shared with his brother, including the one in which the coaching staff surprised him with the announcement he was a scholarship player before his redshirt sophomore season.
"I was supposed to be going downtown with my brother as part of a community service project," Dorceus said. "We were signed up and we showed up for what (we) thought was going to be community service. It was a heck of surprise."
A native of New Orleans, Dorceus said his family moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area when he was 8 years old. The family stayed in New Orleans through Katrina, living at the Superdome and managing without power for an extended period.
"We were eating MREs and living mostly in parking garage outside the dome for about a week or so," Dorceus said. "It was just us, trying to keep each other warm. I was young. And since my family wasn't panicking, I wasn't panicking.
"It taught me a lot. I feel like my hardest day playing football doesn't compare to what I went through: waking up to gunshots and fights in the middle of the night and having to leave the city and move our family to safety. That's why I feel I can do anything."
When the Tigers – and Dorceus – play their final 2020 regular-season game against Houston at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Dorceus likely will be found at his familiar spot on the UofM's defensive line. No doubt, he'll be lobbying for another look in the Tigers' backfield.
"It was something I looked forward to," Dorceus said of getting opportunities on offense, mostly in short-yardage, jumbo-package situations on the goal line. "I've been playing both sides of the ball ever since I started playing football.
"Being versatile is a trademark of my game. And coming here and being able to continue (contributing on offense), has been exciting. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to score a touchdown. Hopefully, I'll get a shot."
Dorceus, who joined the program as a walk-on, came close as a redshirt sophomore, hauling in a short pass from quarterback Brady White and getting to the ECU 1-yard line. It set up a touchdown run by Tony Pollard.
"My brother (Doroland) was a running back here (from 2013-17), and I always wanted to play some offense," he said. "I had 19 rushing touchdowns my senior year of high school (Spring High in Spring, Texas). I always hinted at running the ball when I talked to my coaches. I put it in the coach's ear."
When former coach Mike Norvell changed Dorceus' jersey number early in his career from 54 to 94 – making him eligible to be an offensive participant – Dorceus realized his campaigning had been successful.
"I remember the day he told me, 'I'm going to change your number to an eligible number,'" Dorceus said. "(Norvell) asked me what number I wanted. I had worn No. 94 in high school so I said 94. That's when he said, 'We're going to see if we can get you on the offensive side.'"
As a senior at Spring High, Dorceus said he was recruited to play running back by several junior colleges. But the opportunity to play on the same team with his brother made Memphis the only option for him, even if he had to begin his career as a walk-on.
"I couldn't pass up on that," he said. "No matter if I was going to get to play offense or not. That was a no brainer."
Dorceus has gained most of his attention on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, he earned All-American Athletic Conference honorable mention recognition as an integral part of a team that won its first outright AAC Championship. Dorceus finished with 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
This year, he has recorded 7.5 tackles for loss to become the career leader in the category with 34, or a half sack more than Austin Hall.
On offense, he said he has lined up for "about 50 to 60 snaps" mostly as a blocking back. He has two receptions for eight yards.
On special teams, he has one rush for 25 yards, coming on a fake punt against Arkansas State in the season-opener.
"It was one of those plays where I remember saying to myself: 'Now coach (Ryan Silverfield) has seen me run the ball, maybe he'll give it to me more,'" Dorceus said.
While Dorceus executed the run to perfection on the fake punt, special teams coach Pete Lembo said there has been more to Dorceus' worth on the unit.
"He's been an integral part of our special teams for two years," Lembo said. "He's a natural there (upback) in terms of technique and the ability to move his feet and strike people. And he's smart enough to understand the different protections and where he fits in."
And, of course, there's that additional threat.
"He's also got natural ball skills and great quickness for a guy his size," Lembo said. "To have a guy back there who is, No. 1, in an eligible number to run the ball and catch passes is a big deal because it forces opponents to be aware and more cautious when it comes to coming after punts."
Silverfield calls him the "ultimate competitor" because of his ability to play, and contribute, at multiple positions.
"He's a tough guy, and tough guys usually make it," Silverfield said. "I think he has a chance, in the future, as a fullback at the next level because of his movement skills and his ball skills. I'm glad he convinced us to put him there a few years ago."
Defensive line coach Kyle Pope, in his first season at the UofM, said what has impressed him about Dorceus is "he may not be the tallest and he may not be the strongest, but when you get him on the field you quickly see the caliber of player he is."
"In the locker room, the guys respect him," Pope said. "They like working with him. He is going to give you everything he has."
Regardless of whether he'll get any more opportunities on offense (against Houston or in the bowl game), he'll cherish his career at the UofM and all the moments he shared with his brother, including the one in which the coaching staff surprised him with the announcement he was a scholarship player before his redshirt sophomore season.
"I was supposed to be going downtown with my brother as part of a community service project," Dorceus said. "We were signed up and we showed up for what (we) thought was going to be community service. It was a heck of surprise."
A native of New Orleans, Dorceus said his family moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area when he was 8 years old. The family stayed in New Orleans through Katrina, living at the Superdome and managing without power for an extended period.
"We were eating MREs and living mostly in parking garage outside the dome for about a week or so," Dorceus said. "It was just us, trying to keep each other warm. I was young. And since my family wasn't panicking, I wasn't panicking.
"It taught me a lot. I feel like my hardest day playing football doesn't compare to what I went through: waking up to gunshots and fights in the middle of the night and having to leave the city and move our family to safety. That's why I feel I can do anything."
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