Los Angeles Rams

Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner 'humbled' by his rookie season

Published Jun. 18, 2015 4:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

St. Louis Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was one of the most highly regarded prospects in the 2014 draft. Joyner was drafted in the second-round from national champion Florida State.

Joyner assumed his success in college would translate over to the NFL and he would be able to make an immediate impact for the Rams. Unfortunately, his rookie season did not go as he expected.

"Definitely a humbling experience for me, both on the field, off the field, just a lot of things that come in this league," Joyner said, via ESPN.com. "Just adapting, learning the system. Coming from a successful year at the college level and you think you know everything and you just need to get adjusted."

Joyner has worked extremely hard this offseason to put his tough rookie year behind him. His hard work seems to be paying off as coachers and players have noticed his development on the field.

"I definitely feel good but two witnesses are better than one, you know what I’m saying?" Joyner said. "So it doesn’t matter what I think. It’s about the organization.

"From the words of the coaches, [it's] 'light years.' I feel good, I feel like I’m there mentally which is the most important part at this level. I’m already blessed with the God-given physical ability so I’m pretty caught up."

Joyner feels much more prepared entering his second season in the league. Joyner is putting in the work and he believes it will translate to opportunities and playing time on the field.

"I feel like my approach is different," Joyner said. "That’s probably coming from the more understanding I have. The more wisdom I have and just knowing what I’m doing. Instead of running out there like a blind dog in a meat house not knowing which way to go, I know what I’m doing so now I can pretty much contribute to the defense."

(h/t ESPN)