[1] He attended Dumont High School, where he was a three-year starter, both at offensive guard, defensive end and linebacker.
[2] He was also a three-year letter winner in wrestling,[2] where he was an All-league performer and state medalist in the 215 pound weight class.
Outside of athletics, he was also a member of Captains for Tomorrows Children and the school's jazz band where he played the saxophone.
As a sophomore in 2007, he suffered a torn shoulder labrum and started 10-of-11 games at defensive tackle.
As a senior in 2009, he posted 66 tackles (14 for loss), 2 interceptions, 4 quarterback hurries, 4 passes defensed and one blocked kick, all while starting 14 games.
He appeared in only two games, making his NFL debut in week eight against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded three tackles and half of a sack.
In 2013, the team switched to a 4–3 defense and Lissemore was traded to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for a 2015 seventh round pick (#236-Mark Nzeocha) on September 1, because he wasn't seen as a good fit for the new scheme.
Lissemore was productive all season, especially in the run game, posting a PFF score of +5.7 and was named the starting nose tackle in December.
Lissemore intercepted a Robert Griffin III pass for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins.
He recovered a fumble in overtime against the 49ers that helped the Chargers overcome a large second half deficit and win the game 38-35.