Florida State In Contact With Big Ten Linebacker Transfer

The Seminoles are exploring at least one more move to shore up the roster ahead of a highly-anticipated season in Tallahassee.

Fall camp is right around the corner for Florida State as the team prepares to get back on the field. The Seminoles are exploring at least one move to shore up the roster ahead of a highly-anticipated season in Tallahassee.

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On Wednesday, Northwestern true freshman linebacker Justin Cryer announced that he was entering the transfer portal. He is the second player to move on from the program after head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired following the university's investigation into hazing allegations.

Cryer informed NoleGameday on Thursday morning that Florida State has been one of the programs to contact him since his name officially appeared in the portal. This is a notable development because the two parties are very familiar with one another.

In fact, the Seminoles were the first program to offer the class of 2023 prospect back on May 26, 2021. He dropped by Tallahassee with his family for an unofficial visit last year.

At the time, Cryer went into detail about his relationship with linebackers coach Randy Shannon, who was his primary recruiter during the process.

"Consistently, it's probably coach Shannon," Cryer said to NoleGameday previously. "That's probably the guy I talk to the most. He just likes how explosive how I am. Him being real honest with me, that's something I value."

The Texas native met with head coach Mike Norvell on the visit as well. He came away impressed with their conversation.

"He's great," Cryer said. "He just talked about what he values as a person and as a coach. What he sees in his players and how optimistic they are about the season. And how they only get guys who want to buy into the program and are serious about it. It was a really good conversation."

Though Cryer discussed returning to Florida State for an official visit, he only ended up taking one trip to Northwestern. He pledged to the Wildcats shortly after that official visit.

As a senior, Cryer totaled 95 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and six sacks. He posted 103 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and five sacks during his junior campaign.

Cryer's transfer from the program comes after he enrolled in Evanston in June. It's expected that he'll retain immediate eligibility at his next stop.

The Seminoles currently have seven scholarship linebackers on the roster; redshirt senior Kalen DeLoach, redshirt senior Tatum Bethune, redshirt junior DJ Lundy, redshirt freshman Omar Graham, true freshman Blake Nichelson, true freshman Demarco Ward, and true freshman Dylan Brown-Turner.

Redshirt freshman Brian Courtney will also be getting reps in the room after being listed as a tight end/linebacker on the roster. It wouldn't be a surprise if he eventually moves full-time to the defensive side of the ball as the Seminoles figure out where he ultimately fits the best.

A potential addition of Cryer would continue to add depth for the Seminoles, who may have to replace DeLoach, Bethune, and Lundy following the 2023 season.

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