Joe Webb
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Webb, Jr. is an American football
quarterback
for the Minnesota Vikings
of the National Football League
. In college he played for the UAB Blazers
. He was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round, number 199 overall, of the 2010 NFL Draft
.
from 2001-2004. He transferred to Wenonah High School
in 2004, where he was named honorable mention Class 5A all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. While attending Wenonah, he led the team to the first round of state playoffs, eventually finishing third in the region. Webb set a school record at Wenonah for touchdowns in one game, throwing four in a 415-yard passing performance. Webb also played basketball
and baseball
and was a member of the National Honor Society
.
for the 2005 season.
In 2006, he did not get an opportunity to play until the 11th game at Southern Miss, but he was able to start the final two games of the season. During the season finale at University of Central Florida
, he connected on 33 of 51 passes (64.7 percent) for 426 yards with one touchdown pass, a season high for any Blazer quarterback that year.
During the 2007 season, Webb saw extensive action, playing as a wide receiver
, starting seven games and finishing the season with 30 receptions for 459 yards with three touchdown catches.
The 2008 season was Webb's first full season as UAB's quarterback, starting all 12 contests, where he passed the C-USA record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season with 1,021 yards. He was also ranked fourth in the nation for rushing yards for a quarterback. He was voted a permanent season team captain by his Blazer teammates at the end of the season. As a junior, Webb became the first player in NCAA history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in consecutive seasons. Webb was ranked in the top 12 nationally of three statistical categories: total offense (5th), rushing (10th) and passing efficiency (12th). Webb finished his 2009 season with 2,299 passing yards and 1,427 yards on the ground, the latter the third-highest season total by a quarterback in NCAA history.
For his career, Webb had 5,771 passing yards and 2,774 rushing yards for a total of 8,545 offensive yards. He also registered 37 passing touchdowns, 24 rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores. Webb wasn't invited to the 2010 NFL combine
.
Working out as a wide receiver at UAB Pro Day, some of Webb's numbers would have led other wide receivers' at the NFL combine. His vertical jump of 42.5 inches (108 cm) was better than any turned in by a receiver, as was his standing long jump of 11 foot. Webb's bench press
—21 reps at 225 pounds (102.1 kg)—was the best at his position. Only one other receiver managed 20 reps at the same weight, according to UAB athletic department. Webb also ran the 40-yard dash in a 4.43 seconds.
, 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft
. He was originally drafted as a wide receiver prospect, but then head coach Brad Childress
announced that Webb would exclusively play quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings
.
Webb's NFL
debut was against the Buffalo Bills
on December 5, 2010. He took the opening kickoff and also lined up at wide receiver for one play, before coming out with a hamstring injury.
Webb made his NFL debut at quarterback on December 13, 2010 against the New York Giants
. He completed two passes in five attempts for eight yards and also had a 16-yard run.
Webb rushed for his first NFL touchdown as quarterback on December 20, 2010, against the Chicago Bears
in Minnesota. He was filling in for an injured Brett Favre
. Webb completed 15 of 26 passes for 129 yards, with two interceptions; he also had six rushing attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown.
On December 28, 2010, Webb made his first career start, against the Philadelphia Eagles
. Scoring one rushing touchdown and throwing for 195 yards, he was 17 for 26 with no interceptions. Initially projected to lose by two touchdowns, the Vikings pulled off an upset win, 24-14.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. In college he played for the UAB Blazers
UAB Blazers
The UAB Blazers are the forest green and old gold-swathed athletic teams at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The school is one of the twelve member institutions of Conference USA and participates in Division I of the NCAA...
. He was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round, number 199 overall, of the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
.
Early years
Born to Joseph and Wanda Webb, Webb attended Ensley High SchoolEnsley High School
Ensley High School, located in the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama , was founded in 1901 to serve the then-independent community of Ensley, which was centered around major plants operated by U.S. Steel and the American Cast Iron Pipe Company. It began with classes held at the Old Bush...
from 2001-2004. He transferred to Wenonah High School
Wenonah High School
Wenonah High School is a high school for grades 9 - 12 in Birmingham, Alabama. It is part of the Birmingham City Schools.-Previous Wenonah High School :...
in 2004, where he was named honorable mention Class 5A all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. While attending Wenonah, he led the team to the first round of state playoffs, eventually finishing third in the region. Webb set a school record at Wenonah for touchdowns in one game, throwing four in a 415-yard passing performance. Webb also played basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and was a member of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
.
College career
Webb enrolled at UAB in 2005 and was redshirtedRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
for the 2005 season.
In 2006, he did not get an opportunity to play until the 11th game at Southern Miss, but he was able to start the final two games of the season. During the season finale at University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
, he connected on 33 of 51 passes (64.7 percent) for 426 yards with one touchdown pass, a season high for any Blazer quarterback that year.
During the 2007 season, Webb saw extensive action, playing as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, starting seven games and finishing the season with 30 receptions for 459 yards with three touchdown catches.
The 2008 season was Webb's first full season as UAB's quarterback, starting all 12 contests, where he passed the C-USA record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season with 1,021 yards. He was also ranked fourth in the nation for rushing yards for a quarterback. He was voted a permanent season team captain by his Blazer teammates at the end of the season. As a junior, Webb became the first player in NCAA history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in consecutive seasons. Webb was ranked in the top 12 nationally of three statistical categories: total offense (5th), rushing (10th) and passing efficiency (12th). Webb finished his 2009 season with 2,299 passing yards and 1,427 yards on the ground, the latter the third-highest season total by a quarterback in NCAA history.
For his career, Webb had 5,771 passing yards and 2,774 rushing yards for a total of 8,545 offensive yards. He also registered 37 passing touchdowns, 24 rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores. Webb wasn't invited to the 2010 NFL combine
NFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
.
Working out as a wide receiver at UAB Pro Day, some of Webb's numbers would have led other wide receivers' at the NFL combine. His vertical jump of 42.5 inches (108 cm) was better than any turned in by a receiver, as was his standing long jump of 11 foot. Webb's bench press
Bench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
—21 reps at 225 pounds (102.1 kg)—was the best at his position. Only one other receiver managed 20 reps at the same weight, according to UAB athletic department. Webb also ran the 40-yard dash in a 4.43 seconds.
Minnesota Vikings
On April 24, 2010, Webb was drafted by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
. He was originally drafted as a wide receiver prospect, but then head coach Brad Childress
Brad Childress
Brad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
announced that Webb would exclusively play quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
.
Webb's NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
debut was against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on December 5, 2010. He took the opening kickoff and also lined up at wide receiver for one play, before coming out with a hamstring injury.
Webb made his NFL debut at quarterback on December 13, 2010 against the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He completed two passes in five attempts for eight yards and also had a 16-yard run.
Webb rushed for his first NFL touchdown as quarterback on December 20, 2010, against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Minnesota. He was filling in for an injured Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
. Webb completed 15 of 26 passes for 129 yards, with two interceptions; he also had six rushing attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown.
On December 28, 2010, Webb made his first career start, against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Scoring one rushing touchdown and throwing for 195 yards, he was 17 for 26 with no interceptions. Initially projected to lose by two touchdowns, the Vikings pulled off an upset win, 24-14.
See also
- 2009 UAB Blazers football team2009 UAB Blazers football teamThe 2009 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the college football season of 2009–2010. They played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and competed in the East Division of Conference USA...
- 2008 UAB Blazers football team2008 UAB Blazers football teamThe 2008 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Neil Callaway, who was entering his second year at UAB. They played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and competed in...
- 2007 UAB Blazers football team2007 UAB Blazers football teamThe 2007 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the college football season of 2007, and was the seventeenth team fielded by the school. The team's head coach was Neil Callaway, who was entering his first season as the program's head coach...