After three years as a backup, FIU’s Lex is finally able to ‘Flex’ in Panthers’ backfield

Patience is not just a virtue for a running back – it’s a requirement.

Running backs often have to wait for a hole to open. Sometimes, they have to wait for a job to open up, too.

That’s the case for FIU’s Lexington “Flex” Joseph, who spent the past three years in a backup role, never rushing for more than 273 yards in a season.

Through six games this season, though, Joseph leads FIU in rushing (career-high 291 yards), rushing average (5.9), scrimmage yards (career-high 396), kickoff-return yardage (380) and all-purpose yards (776).

“Flex is doing a great job,” FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said. “He’s a hard runner and a phenomenal person, team captain and leader.”

MacIntyre will rely on Joseph this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when FIU (2-4, 0-2) visits Charlotte (1-6, 0-3) in a Conference USA clash.

Joseph got off to a slow start in the first quarter of this season. In those three games, Joseph totaled 22 carries for just 52 yards (2.4 average).

However, in the past three games, he has 27 carries for 239 yards (8.8 average).

Still, he has gotten seven or fewer carries four times this season. When he has more than seven carries FIU is 1-1.

Overall, FIU has lost two straight games. In both of those contests, Joseph did a lot with a little, gaining 103 yards on just seven carries against Connecticut and going 6-for-56 versus Texas-San Antonio.

“Yes, we’d like to get him the ball more,” MacIntyre said when asked about Joseph. “We’re rotating (running backs), trying to keep them fresh.”

That rotation includes Eric Wilson Jr., who is averaging just 3.8 yards per rush. Third-stringer Kejon Owens is averaging 3.4 yards.

Joseph, though, has remained positive, at least publicly.

“I really can’t be mad about having (only) six carries,” Joseph said. “I trust our offense, and I make the most of it.”

Joseph admitted it’s difficult to gain “momentum” with so few carries.

Fortunately for him and FIU, he has been an effective kickoff-returner since his redshirt freshman season in 2020, when he averaged 33.5 yards, including one touchdown.

For his career, Joseph has returned 51 kickoffs for 1,222 yards and a solid 24.0 average.

Joseph said he “enjoys” his special-team role, especially when he opens the game with a big kickoff return.

“First play of the game, it gives the whole team confidence,” Joseph said. “My job as captain is to up-lift everybody. I can do it by motivational speaking or making plays on the field.

“Kickoff returns are a big part of my game. I will do anything for the team, returning, running, receiving. I’ve always been a team guy.”

Football is in Joseph’s blood. His uncle, defensive back Joycelyn Borgella, in 1994 became the first player of Haitian ancestry to get drafted and play in the NFL.

As a high school senior in 2018, Joseph led Miami Central to a 10-3 record, rushing for 1,658 yards and 19 touchdowns.

The next three years, however, Joseph sat behind FIU running backs Anthony Jones, Napoleon Maxwell and D’vonte Price.

“They taught me a lot,” Joseph said of those veteran backs. “I’ve never been that guy who thinks he knows everything. You can learn something every day.”

Ironically, Joseph – after all that time on the bench – has switched his role to that of a mentor, especially to Owens, a redshirt freshman and a fellow graduate of Miami Central.

In last week’s 30-10 loss to Texas-San Antonio, Owens rushed 10 times for a career-high 52 yards. He also got his first career touchdown.

“He’s like a little brother to me,” Joseph said of Owens. “We stay up late at night, going over the plays. We stay late after practice.

“To see him play that well, it felt like I scored that touchdown.”

Now, of course, it will be up to Owens to show that virtue of patience, waiting for a hole, waiting for a job.