Keion Joyner Reveals Top 3: Odds on Where 4-Star LB Lands

One of the nation’s top linebackers in the 2016 cycle has cut his list to three lucky programs. 

According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, 4-star Keion Joyner has Florida State, LSU and North Carolina battling it out for his commitment.

He stated that all three schools are “even and tied,” and he plans to visit all three of his finalists before announcing his commitment on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America Game.

Will Joyner stay close to home and play for the in-state Tar Heels, or will he head south to join either the Tigers or the Seminoles?

All three programs have various reasons to feel optimistic about landing the 6’3”, 200-pounder.

Let’s break down the odds for each of Joyner’s finalists.

Florida State: 8-1 

While Joyner has been to Chapel Hill on multiple occasions, he’s yet to step foot on Florida State’s campus. 

That will change in less than two weeks when Joyner takes an official visit to FSU when they host in-state rival Miami on Oct. 10. 

Two things are working in FSU’s favor in its pursuit of Joyner.

First, first-year Seminoles defensive ends coach Brad Lawing is a native of Joyner’s hometown of Havelock, North Carolina. Also, the ‘Noles have a huge need for linebackers in this cycle—a problem exacerbated by the recent decommitment of 4-star JUCO linebacker Tyree Horton.

"Me and (defensive ends) Coach (Brad) Lawing have had a very good bond there ever since he was at Florida,” Joyner told Bartow. “Coach Lawing is recruiting me the hardest. He wants me to come down and see what I would like there."

However, given the timeframe of his visit and impending commitment, the ‘Noles may only get one shot to wow Joyner.

Will it be enough to land a dynamic out-of-state talent at a position of need?

With a program with the tradition that Florida State has, it’s possible. However, given Joyner’s familiarity with his other two finalists, it’s certainly not ideal.

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

North Carolina: 7-1

Of his three finalists, Joyner is most familiar with the Tar Heels campus.

As Chris Nee of Noles247 notes, North Carolina was the only school to host him on a visit during the summer.

"I like the atmosphere there. I also like the relationship I have with the coaches and players there,” Joyner told Bartow on what stands out to him about North Carolina.

The idea of staying close to home and playing under new Tar Heels defensive coordinator Gene Chizik is likely to appeal to the nation’s No. 4 outside linebacker and No. 53 player overall in the 2016 cycle. 

Time will tell if geography and an appealing depth chart are enough to keep North Carolina’s No. 3 prospect in-state.

LSU: 5-1

Nee notes that Joyner has family in Louisiana, which has allowed him to take trips to Baton Rouge with his most recent visit coming back in the spring.

According to Nee, members of his extended family from Abbeville, Louisiana, are also expected to be at his announcement. While that may not mean much in the grand scheme of his decision, it certainly doesn’t hurt the Tigers' chances.

Similar to the Seminoles, LSU has a need for linebackers in the 2016 cycle since it didn't bring in any prospects at that position in the 2015 class.

Additionally, the transfer of Clifton Garrett—who was one of just two linebacker signees in the 2014 class—has the Tigers actively searching for prospects with the potential to step in and play right away.

The race to land Joyner is close and far from settled, and his visits could go a long way toward determining where he eventually lands.

However, as things stand, the Tigers have enough reasons to be feel good about their chances with Joyner.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.