Lamarcus Joyner

Lamarcus Joyner's Biography

Lamarcus Joyner, born on November 27, 1990, is a professional American football player known for his hard-hitting safety role. Currently a free agent, his journey in the challenging world of football is an intriguing one.

Joyner first began to capture national attention while playing high school football in Miami at Southwest Miami High School. He performed exceptionally well and displayed his versatility by excelling in different positions such as linebacker, defensive back, wide receiver, and kick returner. As a dynamic player, he raked in over 1,000 offensive yards and recorded more than 100 tackles during his sophomore year. This impressive performance was followed by a junior year tally of 112 tackles, four sacks, and an interception.

Following his junior year, Joyner transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school is recognized as a football powerhouse and was led by Coach George Smith. Despite the competition, Joyner held his own and made a name for himself as a top-performing cornerback. He recorded only 14 tackles due to opponents avoiding his side of the field, but still managed to make significant contributions through special teams. He recorded an impressive 1,090 all-purpose yards on 79 touches and scored eight touchdowns. His defensive prowess earned him National Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today.

Beyond football, Joyner also demonstrated his athletic ability in track and field. He finished third in the 100 meters at the 2010 BCAA Championships, recording an impressive time of 10.83 seconds.

Despite his relatively small stature, Joyner’s football skills caught the eye of Rivals.com. The team ranked him as a five-star recruit and declared him the number one cornerback prospect in his class. After considering numerous offers from schools across the country, he committed to the Florida State Seminoles in December 2009. He quickly became the school’s highest-rated recruit of the season, alongside Christian Jones.

As a freshman at Florida State, Joyner played in all 14 games, notching up 23 tackles as well as two pass break-ups and one interception. His performances earned him a permanent spot as a starting safety in the team lineup during his sophomore year. His breakout season featured 54 tackles and numerous other commendable plays, earning him All-ACC second-team honors. Joyner continued to perform at a high level throughout his junior and senior years, contributing significantly to his team’s success.

His impressive college career led to his selection by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft as the 41st overall pick. Despite some initial setbacks due to a groin injury, Joyner secured a starting position by the end of the season and showcased his potential by recording 40 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and a sack across ten games.

Joyner’s following seasons were a consistent display of his talent. He recorded 72 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and two sacks in the 2015 season, and 66 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and a sack the following year. Despite a coaching change that made him switch from cornerback to free safety, Joyner continued to excel, recording 49 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, three interceptions, a forced fumble, and a touchdown in the 2017 season.

Placing a franchise tag on Joyner in 2018, the Rams signed him on a one-year, $11.28 million franchise tag. Joyner delivered an impressive season, helping the Rams reach the Super Bowl LIII, albeit they fell against the New England Patriots.

Upon becoming a free agent again, Joyner signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2019. He had a decent run with the Raiders, making several key contributions, but was released after the 2020 season. Despite the setback, Joyner quickly bounced back and signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets. He started 14 games for the team, recording one interception, one fumble recovery, and 57 total tackles, before being ruled out due to an elbow injury.

In March 2022, Joyner signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets, an affirmation of his constant agility on the field. Despite the highs and lows of his career, Joyner has remained a consistent and versatile player in American football. His journey is a testament to the determination, skill, and resilience that define him as an athlete.