Florida DB names favorite

Three-star Haines City (Fla.) safety Tony Joiner is putting together a long list of impressive scholarship offers, but the big one he’s waiting for still remains in question.

“My favorite is Florida State… by far,” he said. “After going to their camp this summer and going to the Georgia Tech game last weekend, that’s where I want to be.

“They called me last week and talked to me a little bit. The way it sounded to me, I think they will be offering me sometime soon, but they told me to keep up the good work and send them some more film of our next two games. They said they were only taking two safeties this year, so for me to be patient. I took it as an honor that I’m one of the guys they’re considering.”

Joiner (6-2, 190, 4.52) has scholarship offers from LSU, North Carolina, N.C. State, Auburn, Pittsburgh, Alabama, Central Florida, South Florida and Ole Miss. He’s also receiving interest from Florida and Miami, among others.

“I’d like to stay in Florida if possible,” he said. “Florida and Miami are also pretty high on my list. I just know the coaches and environment at Florida State better right now, that’s why I like them so much. But any of those three schools would be great for me.

“We’ll just have to see. If I have to leave here, it wouldn’t be all bad. There’s a lot of great schools recruiting me.”

During the last two weeks, he’s received calls from Florida State, Florida, Miami, Ole Miss, LSU, North Carolina, Central Florida and South Florida.

He hopes to attend the Florida-Tennessee game this weekend as a guest of the Gators, and says he’ll “definitely” be at the Florida State-Miami game later this season.

As a junior, Joiner recorded 110 tackles and seven interceptions. His senior season is off to a bit of a slow start as Haines City stumbled out of the gates 0-2, but he’s recorded four tackles, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup.

Academically, he maintains a 3.0 GPA and has scored an 820 on the SAT.