TC’s Joyer earns national recognition

Posted Feb 15, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 16, 2010 at 11:13 AM

Tampa Catholic’s football team might be losing two of its biggest stars to graduation later this spring but the Crusaders boast a junior standout who is starting to earn his own national recognition: running back Hunter Joyer.

The 6-foot, 238-pound Joyer garnered his first piece of the national spotlight Monday when he earned honorable mention honors to the U.S. Army National All-Combine Offense Team at running back.

Joyer was one of several local underclassmen who were among the more than 500 college prospects assembled last month in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The players competed in a variety of drills and tests work and were reviewed by coaches and staff members from Rivals.com. Plant High junior defensive end/running back James Wilder was named MVP of the combine.

Joyer, the younger brother of University of Louisville offensive lineman Kamran Joyer, was ne of several juniors invited to the University of Florida last weekend and will join another group this weekend at Florida State. Hunter, who was a fulback and linbacker during TC’s run to the Class 2B state title game last season, has received interest from numerous Division I schools. Louisville has already made an offer to Joyer and he is also interested in Georgia Tech and North Carolina, two programs that still feature a fullback prominently in their offense.

Besdes football, Joyer will compte in both weight lifting and track and field this spring.