College football teams enter a new stage every offseason where they have to reset their roster with high school recruits and transfers. It is just a way of life nowadays in the sport.
Florida State football is no different, as they are trying to find a spark after suffering six losing seasons in eight years. Players come and go all the time, but the roster has to find some sort of continuity so that it can gel together.
Head coach Mike Norvell is trying to fast-track the roster. Luckily, the Seminoles don't have to prepare for the likes of Alabama in the opener, as they have New Mexico State to start the year. The Aggies shouldn't be taken lightly. SMU is right around the corner for a Labor Day night matchup.
The arch-rivalry matchup against Florida last year rubbed fans the wrong way, as the Gators ensured that the Seminoles would not go bowling in 2025 after a dominant performance by running back Jadan Baugh.
One of the reasons that Baugh had the game of his life was the lack of consistency from the Seminoles' linebacker unit. It was not the proudest moment for the linebackers, as they struggled to come up in run support to stop Baugh, even when they had limitations in the passing game with DJ Lagway.
Former Florida State linebacker Justin Cryer could do well in Texas
Florida State added transfer Chris Jones in the portal this offseason, which should help the linebacker woes, but there was attrition in the room. Talented veteran Justin Cryer decided to enter the transfer portal and eventually committed to the Texas Longhorns.
This was a shock to the fan base, as Cryer had 43 tackles (five for loss) and one sack during the 2025 season for the Seminoles. One of the more humble players on Florida State's roster, but the consistency wasn't always there for him.
Sark on Justin Cryer: “Very savvy player. You can tell he’s played a lot of football.”
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) April 14, 2026
“His teammates really respect him.”
About a month ago, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned that Cryer was a very savvy player who knew that he had played a lot of football. It wouldn't surprise me to see the linebacker make a name for himself in a Longhorns defense that wants to compete for a championship.
Fans already knew that Cryer had the talent, but he just hasn't pieced it altogether quite yet. The linebacker has always been a humble person in the media sessions, where he puts his head down and works. His teammates always had a positive aspect to say about him, which says something about his character.
College football is still a couple of months away, and it is just one quote from a coach, but this gets me excited to see how the former Seminole performs.
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