Lamarcus Joyner Lamarcus Joyner ( born November 27 , 1990 ) is an American football safety . He played college football at Florida State . Joyner was named 2009 Defensive High School Player of the Year by " USA Today " . High school career . A native of Miami , Florida , Joyner originally attended Southwest Miami High School , where he played three seasons on the varsity at linebacker and defensive back as well as wide receiver and kick returner . As a sophomore , he had more than 100 tackles and also accounted for more than 1 , 000 yards on offense . In his junior year , he recorded 112 tackles , four sacks and an interception . He then decided to transfer to St . Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , a private school and football powerhouse coached by George Smith . Featuring talented running backs Giovani Bernard and James White , St . Thomas Aquinas went undefeated through the season , extending a win - streak that began in 2007 to 37 wins , until losing 28 – 20 to Manatee High School in a Class 5A state semifinal at Hawkins Stadium in Bradenton , Florida . For the season , Joyner contributed as a shut - down cornerback , recording only 14 tackles ( 12 solo ) as opponents stayed away from his side of the field . He also starred on special teams , as he averaged 39 . 6 yards per return and managed to return three kickoffs for scores . On offense , he recorded 1 , 090 all - purpose yards on just 79 touches , scoring four rushing and four receiving touchdowns . His impact on the defensive side , however , earned him the National Defensive Player of the Year award by " USA Today " . Despite lacking prototypical size , Joyner was regarded as a five - star recruit by " Rivals . com " , and ranked as the No . 1 cornerback prospect in his class , ahead of fellow five - star DeMarcus Milliner . With offers from virtually every school in the country , Joyner took official visits to only Ohio State , Notre Dame , and Florida State , before committing to the Seminoles in early December 2009 . He was the highest - rated Florida State recruit of the season , along with Christian Jones . Joining Derrick Brooks ( 1990 ) , David Warren ( 1996 ) , and Antonio Cromartie ( 2002 ) , Joyner became the fourth ever " USA Today " National Defensive Player of the Year to sign with Florida State . He capped off his prep career by playing in the Under Armour All - America Game . College career . As a true freshman , Joyner played in all 14 games and finished with 23 tackles , two pass break - ups and one interception , mostly on special teams but also as a back - up safety . In the 47 – 17 loss to Oklahoma , he had five returns for 74 yards . In the ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech , Joyner had four returns for 112 yards . During spring practice of his sophomore year , Joyner was moved into the starting line - up at safety , a position at which he started all 13 games of the season . He recorded 54 tackles adding two tackles for loss , one sack , and three pass break - ups on the year , which earned him All - ACC second team honors . In the Champs Sports Bowl , Joyner helped the Seminoles to a 18 – 14 win over Notre Dame tallying seven tackles and snagging his team - high fourth interception . In his junior year , Joyner again started all 14 games at safety . In his final season at FSU , Joyner had 69 tackles with seven tackles for a loss , two interceptions , four passes broken up , three forced fumbles and 5 . 5 sacks . He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior .