2007 Outlook
California native Joseph Townsend is one of four players in the Huskers' 2007 signing class set to line up on the interior defensive front. Townsend sat out the 2005 season, and will have four years to complete three seasons of eligibility at Nebraska. The 6-3, 285-pound Townsend is also one of a group of six players to join the Huskers from the junior college ranks and one of four Californians in the 2007 class. Nebraska continues to make California one of its key recruiting priorities, as the Huskers have signed 19 players from the Golden State over the past three seasons.

Before Nebraska (Valley Christian HS/Foothill CC)
Townsend is coming off a standout campaign for Coach Marshall Sperbeck at Foothill (Calif.) Community College. Townsend was a first-team all-league pick in the Northern California Conference in 2006, helping Foothill to a 10-1 record and a victory in the Silicon Valley Bowl. With most teams staying away from his side of the field, Townsend registered approximately 30 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, 10 hurries and a fumble recovery.

Townsend was ranked as a four-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, which ranked him as the nation's No. 40 overall junior college recruit. SuperPrep Magazine listed him 18th nationally among junior college prospects.

Townsend played both ways as a prep at Valley Christian High School in San Jose. He was mainly recruited as an offensive tackle out of high school.

Personal
Townsend is the son of Larry and Alice Townsend, and was born on Dec. 16, 1987. Joseph's older brother, Larry Jr., lettered for the Huskers as a defensive tackle for Nebraska's national championship teams in 1994 and 1995. Joseph only visited Nebraska, but Washington State, Arizona State and Mississippi State were among other schools vying for his services.