Miami linebacker/defensive end Patrick Joyner enters NCAA transfer portal
University of Miami redshirt sophomore linebacker/defensive end Patrick Joyner has become the first Hurricane on scholarship this postseason to enter the NCAA transfer portal, 247Sports first reported Tuesday.
Joyner, who grew up in Homestead and is a South Dade High alum, played in four games this season — against Florida State, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and the Cheez-It Bowl finale vs. Oklahoma State. He played sparingly as a reserve defensive end against Oklahoma State after UM starters Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
“Thank you Miami,” Joyner posted Tuesday morning on Twitter, accompanied by an emoji of praying hands.
Joyner, 6-2 and 225 pounds, is listed by Miami as having one assisted tackle this year. He missed most of 2019 while recovering from offseason surgery, seeing action in one game. As a true freshman in 2018, Joyner played in four games, totaling five tackles.
When he signed with UM during the early 2017 signing period as a part of the 2018 recruiting class, Joyner — then classified as a four-star prospect — had decommitted from Florida State after Jimbo Fisher bolted for Texas A&M. He chose UM over other offers from Alabama, Florida and Auburn.
The Hurricanes started redshirt freshman Jahfari Harvey and redshirt freshman Cameron Williams at defensive end in the bowl game. Canes fifth-year senior linebacker Zach McCloud also played at defensive end in the bowl. Other freshman defensive ends going forward are Chantz Williams, Elijah Roberts and Quentin Williams.
And the announcement on Saturday that Tennessee D-end Deandre Johnson is coming to the Hurricanes as a graduate transfer should bolster the position as well.
The Canes signed four-star Miami Columbus defensive end Jabari Ishmael, the son of assistant strength and conditioning coach Victor Ishmael, during the early signing period last month, as well as three-star end Thomas Davis out of Valdosta, Georgia’s Lowndes.
This story was originally published January 5, 2021 at 10:45 AM.
