Justin Cryer LB Texas |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #28 PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #28 | |
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
62.7 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
|
59% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
53% |
| Run Defense: |
|
74% |
| Coverage: |
|
60% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#1147
Position rank:
#66 (LB)
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1228 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| K.J. Britt - Auburn |
|
86% |
| Raul Aguirre Jr. - Miami |
|
82% |
| Khari Coleman - Ole Miss |
|
80% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Justin Cryer played at Royal High School in Texas after a sophomore season at Morton Ranch. His junior year produced 103 tackles with 19 in the backfield, and his final season added 75 tackles with 17 behind the line. A multi-sport athlete, he played baseball and basketball and competed in the throws, and ESPN ranked him No. 25 among linebackers. His brother, LJ, plays for the Golden State Warriors.Cryer appeared in 13 games for Florida State during his debut 2023 season. He made two starts and intercepted a pass in 2024 before a lower-leg injury against North Carolina ended his season, and in 2025 he started eight of 12 games and had a sack.
Cryer joined the Longhorns in early 2026 and has started each week. He has 45 tackles, including 12 at Tennessee and seven against Ohio State, when he also had three pressures. He intercepted Ole Miss and sacked the Mississippi State quarterback, though he has seven missed tackles and has allowed 18 catches on 29 targets.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Started every game for Texas after transferring from Florida State
- Racked up 12 tackles when Texas visited Tennessee
- Picked off a pass when Texas hosted Ole Miss
- Three pressures and seven tackles against Ohio State
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Seven missed tackles through the first eight games
- Opponents have caught 18 of 29 passes thrown his way
- Florida scored a touchdown on a throw into his coverage
- Unremarkable forty time for a Power Four linebacker
- Season-ending leg injury cut short his 2024 season
Scouting Report: Summary
Cryer is an experienced, productive linebacker and a fixture in the Texas lineup. He has an interception against Ole Miss and a sack against Mississippi State.However, seven missed tackles and 18 catches allowed show the limits of his game. His testing numbers are ordinary for a linebacker.
Overall, Cryer is a dependable veteran linebacker who is more effective near the line than in space. He projects as a priority free agent who can contribute on coverage units.
How other scouting services rate Justin Cryer (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
733.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
81.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.