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Florida State, in the midst of the open transfer portal window, will see more attrition to its defense.
Linebacker and vocal leader Justin Cryer announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Monday afternoon, according to both On3 and 247Sports. Cryer is the fourth defensive player to say they will leave the program today, alongside defensive end Amaree Williams and defensive linemen Mandrell and Darryl Desir.
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Cryer became a success story for FSU, coming to campus as a preferred walk-on in 2023 before earning a starting role in 2024 and 2025. The Texas native also had an incredible personality and set the record straight during media availabilities, a breath of fresh air from a quieter group over the last two seasons. The linebacker finished eighth on the FSU defense in snaps in 2025 and played in every game last season.
Florida State will be on its third linebackers coach in three years after linebacker coach Randy Shannon left the program in 2024 and John Papuchis took a job at Missouri during this offseason. In Papuchis’ place, head coach Mike Norvell promoted Ernie Sims to be the linebackers coach in his third season with the program in a coaching role.
From his FSU bio:
2025: Appeared in all 12 games with career-high eight starts…led FSU linebackers with 43 tackles…added 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack.
2024: Played in Florida State’s first nine contests before season–ending injury sustained vs. North Carolina…Bill McGrotha Award winner, presented by Tallahassee Quarterback Club to the top Humanitarians…started against Duke and Miami, his first career starts…ended season with 32 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery…game–high and career–high seven tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss against Blue Devils…notched his first career interception and FSU’s first interception of season against Memphis…added five tackles against Tigers…fell on muffed punt at SMU for Seminoles’ first fumble recovery of 2024 and first of his career…added four tackles against Boston College, Clemson and Miami.
2023: Appeared in 13 games and made 12 tackles…All-ACC Academic Team…recorded career-high six tackles in Orange Bowl vs. No. 6 Georgia…made three tackles in 41-3 win vs. Syracuse…registered solo stop in 58-13 win vs. North Alabama…had one tackle in 66-13 win vs. Southern Miss and 24-7 win at Pitt…made collegiate debut in season-opening 45-24 victory vs. No. 5 LSU.
BEFORE FSU: Three-star prospect rated as No. 25 linebacker recruit nationally by ESPN and 35th at his position by Rivals…initially enrolled at Northwestern before transferring to FSU in summer prior to freshman season…two-time team captain at Royal…made 75 tackles, including 17.0 for loss with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three pass breakups his senior year…earned first-team all-district after junior season…recorded 103 tackles, 19.0 for loss with 5.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and two pass breakups…played sophomore season at Morton Ranch…also played baseball at Royal and hit .321 with five triples and two home runs his junior year…older brother, L.J., plays basketball at Houston.
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