Nadab Joseph, a key UGA signee in 2018, has enrolled at Independence (Kan.) Community College.

Victor Evans, Joseph’s mentor, told DawgNation that on Monday morning. Joseph is set to start classes on Monday with the junior college program.

“We’re doing summer enrollment to try and get out as fast as possible,” Evans told DawgNation.

A second source also confirmed the transfer. The expectation is that Joseph will need to spend 18 months at Independence in order to re-sign with a Power 5 program.

Evans, who has meant a great deal to Joseph growing up, said Joseph still plans to sign with UGA.

The 4-star safety flipped from Alabama to UGA when he signed back on Dec. 20.

Joseph was homeschooled early in his high school career and also had to transfer several times. Evans said Joseph will spend at least the 2018 season at Independence.

The South Florida football coach has been a long-time guardian and mentor to Joseph while serving in different roles at various high schools.

“Depends on how many courses he can get done,” said Evans in regard to Joseph’s timeline. “In a realistic side of things [he can qualify in] probably 18 months.”

Evans said the hope remains that Joseph can enroll at UGA next fall. But he will be a coveted recruit coming out of the junior college level.

“He knows he has some work to do but he’s ready to start,” Evans said. “He’s ready to get out there and compete and do what he has to do to get to UGA as soon as possible.”

The 6-foot-1.5, 180-pound prospect ranked as the nation’s No. 18 cornerback and the No. 180 overall prospect in 247Sports’ 2018 composite rankings.

In the event he qualified, Joseph was expected to contend for a spot in the two-deep at safety this fall.

He is the second member of the nation’s top-ranked signing class that will be unable to join Georgia. Tramel Walthour, a 3-star defensive tackle from Hinesville, also will be at a junior college this fall. 

Joseph was the 16th-highest rated prospect out of the 26 the Bulldogs signed in 2018.