The Longhorns add their first linebacker of the 2026 Transfer Portal window on Friday. After departures from Liona Lefau (Colorado) and Bo Barnes (Visiting Kentucky). The commitment comes from Florida State’s Justin Cryer, who began his visit in Austin on Friday.
Justin Cryer Rankings
Justin Cryer Scouting Report
At 6-1, 232 pounds, Cryer is originally from Katy, Texas where he went to high school at Royal. Cryer committed to and enrolled at Northwestern in June of 2023, before 18 days later entering the portal and heading south to Florida State. His offer sheet was not that hot at the time… Tulane, Northwestern, Florida State, Georgia Tech… he did take a Junior Day visit to Florida State the March before. So not a complete curveball.
Cryer appeared in all 12 games in 2025 with career-high eight starts, leading Florida State linebackers with 43 tackles while adding 5 TFLs and 1 sack. He’s had Four career games with more than 5 tackes. 7 against Duke in 2024, 7 against Alabama in Week 1 of 2025, 6 against Georgia in the 63-3 loss, and 6 against Virginia in 2025
Checking the Tape
Cryer carries his weight very well on the football field, While he isn’t the quickest linebacker off the hoof at the snap, he does well pursuing diligently while playing sound run defense from the middle as well as from the EDGE position. He moved around at Florida State from Middle backer down to the EDGE and sometimes outside in space, where he was tasked with covering linebackers and running backs. Key things to look for are Instincts, Play Recognition, Ability to clear the trash (muddy OL lanes), and overall field closing speed. I see Cryer at right around a C- in all of those categories. He is a tick behind on a number of opportunities in the run and pass game, but he shows he is clearly capable in a condensed role, where he isn’t asked to “do to much”, just as I expect in this Will Muschamp defense. Sign me up for the kid for Katy.
Why It Matters
Texas lost one of the best linebackers in program history when Anthony Hill Jr. declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite Five-Star phenom Tyler Atkinson joining the Longhorns this spring, it’s a big ask for a true freshman linebacker to start in the SEC and outside of TyAnthony Smith… well, there is nobody outside of TyAnthony Smith at the linebacker position. Brad Spencer has played both Linebacker and EDGE, but at time of posting we aren’t exactly sure where Will Muschamp will view him. Texas needed 2 linebackers this portal period, and that was before Bo Barnes departed this week.
Expectations for Justin Cryer
With two years of eligibility left, Cryer looks to step in immediately as a competitive linebacker No. 2 / No. 3 (I’m plugging TyAnthony Smith in as the No. 1, right now). Cryer has over 600 defensive snaps in the ACC for Florida State over the last two seasons with 29 run stops and an “okay” 69.1 PFF Run Defense grade… I don’t even know what that grade means, but it was his best grade in 2025. I don’t see Cryer as an all-conference level player, but someone that can play in rotation, just as we saw Liona Lefau, TyAnthony Smith and David Gbenda do over the last few seasons.
