Joey Fisher: From picking locks to being picked in NFL draft
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (BVM) – Joey Fisher will be a part of an NFL franchise within a matter of days. The Shepherd offensive lineman has seen his name rise throughout the draft process and is the No. 10 offensive tackle in this year’s class according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper.
But just less than four years ago, Fisher was done with football and was working as a full-time locksmith.
His father, a self-employed locksmith at the time, brought him on his staff and until the fall of 2019, it looked like that would be Fisher’s future.
“Every day was a new day,” Fisher said. “I wasn’t stuck in the same office every day. I got to move around, meet new people and see new environments.”
Fisher was not your typical locksmith though.
He stands at 6-foot-3 and is close to the 300-pound mark. Coming out of Clear Spring High School, Fisher was a three-star defensive end in the 2016 class according to 247 Sports and was heading to in-state Maryland on scholarship.
Fisher eventually decommitted due to a coaching change and headed to Towson. Unfortunately, things did not work out there for him.
For three years, he did not play football and instead worked alongside his dad.
But that changed when he received a phone call from his high school coach.
A Shepherd University alum, he had a good relationship with the head coach at the college and was able to connect Fisher with the Rams’ program.
The rest was history.
Fisher developed into a quality offensive lineman over the course of four years there and eventually, an NFL prospect. Despite uncertainties at times throughout his career, the aspirations of becoming a pro never died down.
“It started out as a childhood dream,” Fisher said. “I’ve always kept myself to a higher standard. Be that perfect person I could be to get myself in the best place to be for the next level.”
With Fisher’s status throughout his final year at Shepherd, he caught the attention of the small town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and used it to strengthen the standard that he has for himself.
“There definitely is a little bit of pressure on you,” Fisher said. “You’re under the microscope almost every day of your life. You get used in references in practice and in the classroom. Even people that are in the community see a young man that is working hard and trying to be an example for the youth. I feel like there is pressure that you have to fit into.”
It is not a coincidence that a guy from a school of just under 4,000 enrollees is now on the cusp of playing in the NFL. It has taken a different type of mindset and work ethic to fight his way to where he is today.
“I’m my biggest critic,” Fisher said. “When they (his friends) were out going to places on Friday nights, Saturday nights, I’m at the gym. I feel like I’m gritty and stick my nose to the grind.”
🚨Combine snub Shepherd OL Joey Fisher just bested this year’s Combine-best bench press mark (38) with 40 reps.👀
Equally impressive is fact that video lasts 0:50. That’s a long time pushing 225 lbs.
And @JoeyFisher76 walks away like it was nothin.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/zzdm5Jr0de
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 28, 2023
None of that will change when Fisher gets to the NFL.
He currently has his focus set on making a 53-man roster, and after that, having a long lengthy career. After that, help others in similar situations.
“I want to be able to say that I set a goal and accomplished it,” Fisher said. “I want to come back and spread my knowledge through the youth at my local high school. Just give them advice on what I did and what I should’ve done.”
