Josh grew up in Millheim, Pennsylvania, approximately 25 miles east of State College, Pennsylvania. He attended Penns Valley High School, where he played football under coach Martin Tobias. He was a three-year starter, serving as team captain and defensive captain as a senior. Hull was selected first-team all-conference on defense after his senior season, and was a team captain in the 2006 Lezzer Lumber Classic. He was also a three-year letterman on the baseball team, earning first-team all-conference accolades as an outfielder.

A former PSU walk-on, Hull becase a starter in 2008. Hul lwas the starter for all 13 games that season, finishing as the second leading tackler, leading Penn State to the Big 10 Championship. In 2009 he led the team with 117 tackles and had a game-high nine tackles in the 2009 Rose Bowl. That year he was second-team All-Big Ten Linebacker.

Hull was also recognized for academics while at Penn State. He was a member of the Dean's List for 5 years, and was named an Academic All-Big Ten Scholar-Athlete, while majoring in environmental systems engineering. He graduated with an MBA. He was named a 2008 Academic All-American, and a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American at PSU (08 and 09).

Hull was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played three seasons for the Rams and one season with the Washington Redskins, and one season with the New England Patriots.

As the keynote speaker for the National Football Foundation Awards, Josh shares his experiences from high school to Penn State to the NFL, offering insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level and the importance of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance in achieving greatness.