Three-star offensive lineman Joseph Cryer fulfills ‘knee-high’ dream, commits to Ole Miss
Ole Miss offered three-star offensive lineman Joseph Cryer in the closing days of March.
The Rebels had been trending to land him ever since. HAD being the operative word, ‘cause Cryer, who’s nicknamed ‘Big Hoss,’ committed to Ole Miss on Friday. Cryer is among the visitors in Oxford this weekend for camp.
“This has been a dream of mine since knee-high,” Cryer wrote, in announcing the news on social media. “Couldn’t be more blessed. I’m 110 percent locked in. Oxford is home.”
Cryer became the ninth commitment for Ole Miss in the 2024 cycle.
He’s just the third out-of-state pledge, joining fellow Louisiana target Rahji Dennis (wide receiver) and Demond Williams Jr (quarterback). Dennis committed to Ole Miss earlier this week. Williams is one of three four-stars the Rebels have bagged so far. The others are in-state defensive linemen Kamron Beavers and Jeffery Rush.
“I already have a great relationship with coach Garrison, and I’ve heard a lot from coach (Lane) Kiffin,” Cryer told On3’s Sam Spiegelman.
Ole Miss currently boasts the No. 19 class in the country.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Cryer is the nation’s No. 987 overall player. He’s the No. 81 interior offensive lineman and the No. 32 player in Louisiana.
Cyer, who stars for Natchitoches Central, holds nearly 20 offers in all. Others include Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, TCU, Nebraska, Boston College and Cincinnati.
“I love the atmosphere of the fans and just how the team does things around there,” Cryer previously said of Ole Miss. His cousin, Justin, played for the Rebel baseball team.
Cryer is one of four official visitors for Ole Miss this weekend.
Four-star offensive tackle Jac’Qawn McRoy is also in town, as are three-star targets Kobe Branham (offensive lineman) and Dillon Hipp (tight end). Beavers is among the unofficial visitors.
Cryer took official visits to Oklahoma State and TCU in April. His primary Ole Miss recruiter is first-year offensive line coach John Garrison. Garrison, previously of North Carolina State, was hired to replace Jake Thornton in the off-season. Thornton left for the same position at Auburn.
Ole Miss is trending for a number of additional prospects, both in the high-school ranks and in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Notably, and also on Friday night, On3 national writer Matt Zenitz put in an On3 RPM pick for Ole Miss to soon land UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin, which is consistent with recent reporting from the Ole Miss Spirit.
“These past four years have been some of the best moments of my life,” Franklin said in a statement Friday night. “Thank you to my teammates, coaches, training staff, equipment team and everyone that’s been a part of my journey.
“The city of San Antonio will forever be in my heart. It has been a very tough decision, but with that being said, I will be transferring for my last year of eligibility. I will forever be a Roadrunner, and I look forward to what’s next.”
Franklin entered the portal in April. Sources indicate a decision on his next stop has been delayed as he works through an academic issue.
