Husky Legend: Joe Toledo
September 28, 2018 | Football
By Nick Reeves
Joe Toledo attended La Costa High School in Encinitas, Calif., where he was a four-star tight end before setting foot in Seattle. Born in Omaha, Neb., Toledo spent most of his childhood in Nebraska before moving to California during his high school days. Out of high school, Toledo was recruited by schools around the nation as both a tight end as well as an offensive lineman. He would commit to the Huskies, continuing the legacy of great tight ends on Montlake.
"Washington had just won the Rose Bowl and beaten Purdue," said Toledo. "I went on a trip there and absolutely fell in love with the city and the school. That was the basis of my decision. It was a great team and I loved the school and the city."
After an injury in fall camp, he redshirted his 2001 freshman season. In 2002, Toledo received UW's Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman Award, playing in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman. His sophomore season was plagued with injures as Toledo only played in three games, catching five passes for 70 yards. In his junior year, he caught 19 passes for 202 yards, along with a pair of touchdowns. However, before his senior season, Toledo transitioned to tackle after a talk with then head coach Keith Gilbertson.
"My senior year I switched to tackle,", said Toledo. "Khalif Barnes had just been drafted in the second round. Keith Gilbertson who was my position coach and then was our head coach my junior year. He's been a coach in the NFL and college for a long time. He told me 'I think if you were to switch to offensive tackle you will have a better opportunity to play in the NFL.' He was a huge role model and a great coach for me. I took his advice and made the switch."
Toledo was able to seamlessly make the transition to left tackle thanks to his quick hands and nimble feet. Toledo switching positions heading into his senior season speaks to his unselfish nature through his willingness to do whatever it took for the betterment of the team.
Although Toledo wishes the Huskies would have won more games during his time in purple and gold, he feels that his experience was beneficial to him both on and off the football field. Toledo played for three different head coaches during his time as a Husky, but always adapted to do his job to the best of his abilities.
"I didn't know any different," said Toledo. "I think it was difficult for our team to be able to adapt to that. Going from Rick Neuheisul to Tyrone Willingham in a span of five years was quite the culture shock. Going through that transition prepared me not only for the NFL, but also life. There are always changes that are happening."
Toledo's transition to tackle paid off as he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Toledo would go on to play for six teams in his NFL career which spanned from 2006-11.
Toledo believes that he was prepared for the unpredictable nature of the NFL by some of the changes he experienced as a Husky.
"It was pretty similar, I played for three different head coaches at Washington, I think we had four or five different coordinators, and that really prepared me for my NFL career. I was with a new team pretty much every year, I was learning a new system and a new coaching staff every year. Going through some of that turmoil at UW helped me to prepare to learning and executing new offenses."
Today, Toledo is still involved in the game of football, however in a different avenue as an NFL agent. Toledo works for REP1 Sports and enjoys being able to help athletes transition from the collegiate to the professional ranks. Toledo worked with former Husky center Coleman Shelton who played for UW from 2014-17.
"I really enjoy working with guys when they are at the period of just finishing up playing their college ball, going into the NFL, and being able to work with them and teach them from some of my experiences," Toledo said. "We get to dive in and watch all of their film, just being able to stay involved with the game, staying around likeminded people and helping kids transition to the next level."
Toledo enjoys the opportunity to work with players playing football at the highest level, and being able to pass on insight that he learned from his playing days both on and off the field.
"I think the biggest difference between college and the NFL is the consistency of the players," he said. "Every guy is good and they're able to play at a very high level for an entire game and an entire season."
Toledo is a proud Husky and follows all of Washington athletics as much as he can. He still keeps in contact with many of his former teammates including Khalif Barnes, Adam Seery and Casey Paus.
"I follow Husky Athletics as a whole, and I have since I've been done," said Toledo. "I went to the Super Regional when baseball played Cal State Fullerton, I'll go to the basketball games when they're down at USC or UCLA. I'm always getting together with Adam Seery, a good friend of mine, to watch some games. I keep pretty good tabs on how they're doing."
Toledo greatly appreciates the recognition of being a Husky Legend, and looks forward to being back on the field at Husky Stadium once again.
"I was very honored when Damon Huard reached out to me," said Toledo. "Looking back on some of the guys who were honored when I was playing, I take tremendous pride in being a Husky. I just feel very honored."
Joe Toledo attended La Costa High School in Encinitas, Calif., where he was a four-star tight end before setting foot in Seattle. Born in Omaha, Neb., Toledo spent most of his childhood in Nebraska before moving to California during his high school days. Out of high school, Toledo was recruited by schools around the nation as both a tight end as well as an offensive lineman. He would commit to the Huskies, continuing the legacy of great tight ends on Montlake.
"Washington had just won the Rose Bowl and beaten Purdue," said Toledo. "I went on a trip there and absolutely fell in love with the city and the school. That was the basis of my decision. It was a great team and I loved the school and the city."
After an injury in fall camp, he redshirted his 2001 freshman season. In 2002, Toledo received UW's Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman Award, playing in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman. His sophomore season was plagued with injures as Toledo only played in three games, catching five passes for 70 yards. In his junior year, he caught 19 passes for 202 yards, along with a pair of touchdowns. However, before his senior season, Toledo transitioned to tackle after a talk with then head coach Keith Gilbertson.
"My senior year I switched to tackle,", said Toledo. "Khalif Barnes had just been drafted in the second round. Keith Gilbertson who was my position coach and then was our head coach my junior year. He's been a coach in the NFL and college for a long time. He told me 'I think if you were to switch to offensive tackle you will have a better opportunity to play in the NFL.' He was a huge role model and a great coach for me. I took his advice and made the switch."
Toledo was able to seamlessly make the transition to left tackle thanks to his quick hands and nimble feet. Toledo switching positions heading into his senior season speaks to his unselfish nature through his willingness to do whatever it took for the betterment of the team.
Although Toledo wishes the Huskies would have won more games during his time in purple and gold, he feels that his experience was beneficial to him both on and off the football field. Toledo played for three different head coaches during his time as a Husky, but always adapted to do his job to the best of his abilities.
"I didn't know any different," said Toledo. "I think it was difficult for our team to be able to adapt to that. Going from Rick Neuheisul to Tyrone Willingham in a span of five years was quite the culture shock. Going through that transition prepared me not only for the NFL, but also life. There are always changes that are happening."
Toledo's transition to tackle paid off as he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Toledo would go on to play for six teams in his NFL career which spanned from 2006-11.
Toledo believes that he was prepared for the unpredictable nature of the NFL by some of the changes he experienced as a Husky.
"It was pretty similar, I played for three different head coaches at Washington, I think we had four or five different coordinators, and that really prepared me for my NFL career. I was with a new team pretty much every year, I was learning a new system and a new coaching staff every year. Going through some of that turmoil at UW helped me to prepare to learning and executing new offenses."
Today, Toledo is still involved in the game of football, however in a different avenue as an NFL agent. Toledo works for REP1 Sports and enjoys being able to help athletes transition from the collegiate to the professional ranks. Toledo worked with former Husky center Coleman Shelton who played for UW from 2014-17.
"I really enjoy working with guys when they are at the period of just finishing up playing their college ball, going into the NFL, and being able to work with them and teach them from some of my experiences," Toledo said. "We get to dive in and watch all of their film, just being able to stay involved with the game, staying around likeminded people and helping kids transition to the next level."
Toledo enjoys the opportunity to work with players playing football at the highest level, and being able to pass on insight that he learned from his playing days both on and off the field.
"I think the biggest difference between college and the NFL is the consistency of the players," he said. "Every guy is good and they're able to play at a very high level for an entire game and an entire season."
Toledo is a proud Husky and follows all of Washington athletics as much as he can. He still keeps in contact with many of his former teammates including Khalif Barnes, Adam Seery and Casey Paus.
"I follow Husky Athletics as a whole, and I have since I've been done," said Toledo. "I went to the Super Regional when baseball played Cal State Fullerton, I'll go to the basketball games when they're down at USC or UCLA. I'm always getting together with Adam Seery, a good friend of mine, to watch some games. I keep pretty good tabs on how they're doing."
Toledo greatly appreciates the recognition of being a Husky Legend, and looks forward to being back on the field at Husky Stadium once again.
"I was very honored when Damon Huard reached out to me," said Toledo. "Looking back on some of the guys who were honored when I was playing, I take tremendous pride in being a Husky. I just feel very honored."
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