Justin Cryer never followed Texas football closely during his youth, as the program struggled through multiple losing seasons spanning over a decade. The Katy native’s formative years coincided with inconsistent performance under several coaching regimes, making the Longhorns an unappealing option for a young aspiring athlete.
Cryer’s athletic journey took unexpected turns before landing in Austin. Initially drawn to baseball rather than football, he enrolled at Northwestern with hopes of playing both sports. When a hazing scandal disrupted that opportunity, he redirected to Florida State, where he spent three seasons as a linebacker. After appearing in 34 games with 10 starts, the senior transfer sought a new venue for his final collegiate campaign, ultimately choosing Texas during a whirlwind recruiting week.
The linebacker joins a Longhorns program now positioned as a national championship contender. Texas faced depth challenges at his position following the departures of key defensive players, creating an immediate starting opportunity alongside Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles. Cryer brings experience and football intelligence honed through his time in Tallahassee, along with inspiration from his accomplished older brother L.J., who won a national title at Baylor and nearly captured another with Houston before launching an NBA career with the Golden State Warriors.
Cryer’s commitment to his final season reflects his determination to achieve what his brother already has accomplished. With clear goals and a championship-caliber roster around him, the defensive midfielder aims to deliver Texas its first national title in over two decades while proving that sometimes late arrivals at a program can have the most meaningful impact.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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