The Horns have added a starting-caliber player at the linebacker position.
The Texas Longhorns have officially started the process of addressing the program’s need at the linebacker with the Friday commitment of Florida State Seminoles transfer Justin Cryer on a visit to the Forty Acres.
The 6’1, 232-pounder has one season of eligibility remaining.
Cryer’s decision marks a return to the Lone Star State for the Brookshire Royal product who signed with Northwestern in the 2023 recruiting class and enrolling during the summer before departing for Florida State without every playing for the Wildcats. Cryer also held offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, and SMU, along with a host of smaller schools. A consensus three-star prospect, Cryer was ranked as the No. 1,012 player nationally and the No. 79 linebacker, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
As a freshman, Cryer appeared in 13 games and made 12 tackles, playing 50 snaps across four special teams units and 82 snaps on defense. During the 2024 season, Cryer suffered a season-ending injury after nine games after making 32 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and one fumble recovery, improving as a tackler and in coverage.
With eight starts in 12 games in 2025, Cryer took another step forward, leading Florida State’s linebackers with 43 tackles, adding five tackles for loss and one sack. Cryer also had seven quarterback hurries and 15 stops.
At Texas, Cryer will compete for a starting role next to Ty’Anthony Smith and should at least be a rotation player for the Longhorns as a proven contributor in a major conference. Since Cryer also played 97 snaps on special teams last season, so he should also make an impact in the third phase.
Category: General Sports
