Times Elite 11: Natchitoches Central’s Joe Cryer is no crier about sibling rivalry
Not so long ago, Natchitoches Central’s Joe Cryer was the brunt of his siblings’ jokes. He was a punching bag for four older brothers and an older sister, and he was the scapegoat for any mistake they made.
Maybe it was all good-natured fun, but it’s what happens when you’re the youngest in an athletic family.
“I was always picked on but, it taught me how to be tough and be the man I am today for sure,” Cryer said. “One of the advantages was getting everything my way, which my brothers and sister hate.”
Fast forward a few years and we find an entirely different scenario for one of the best offensive linemen in Louisiana. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Cryer is far from being the runt of the litter produced by Bo and Cheri Cryer. Verbally committed to Ole Miss, Cryer comes in at No. 7 on the Shreveport Times Elite 11, a list of the top senior collegiate football recruits in Northwest Louisiana.
“In addition to being picked on, I always felt left out,” he said. “But now it’s the other way around. I’m the big dawg in the family.”
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Although all six of the Cryers are athletic, “Big Hoss,” as he refers to himself on Twitter, is the only one recruited by Power Five schools. He also has offers from Penn State, TCU, Kansas State, Nebraska, Cincinnati and Oklahoma State as the No. 37 overall recruit in Louisiana and No. 73 offensive lineman in the U.S. according to 247Sports.
Cryer has been a part of two LHSAA state championship teams at Many, including the 2022 title squad which won in the New Orleans Superdome. He transferred to Natchitoches Central for his senior year since his father is an assistant for head coach Jess Curtis, who left Many for Natchitoches during the off-season. The transition hasn’t been an issue for the personable Cryer.
“I have adjusted amazing to my teammates,” he said. “They are some great guys, and I already have an amazing bond with them.”
NCHS was 3-7 last season, so the infusion of a new coaching staff, led by Curtis, could mean a quick turnaround for a school that typically produces numerous quality athletes. Cryer is among those expected to bring a winning attitude.
“No doubt we are,” he said.
Cryer, who played travel baseball and basketball before settling on football, doesn’t lack in confidence, and he has the size and talent to back up his bravado.
“I’m the most physical lineman in Louisiana and I have great feet — and I have grit and the mentality that football is supposed to be played with,” he said.
That kind of attitude and prowess can come from learning a thing or two from older, athletic siblings.
“All of my brothers and my sister had some talent — never D1 — but they fought hard at what they did,” he said.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
Joe Cryer file
His greatest fear: Heights
Country he’d most like to visit: Italy
Favorite subject in school: English
Favorite movie: Rudy
Favorite food: Chicken
One person from history he’d like to dine with: Jerry West
Favorite pro athlete: Jason Kelce
Toughest opponent: Amite
Favorite article of clothing: Southern Marsh
His go-to app: YouTube
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Times Elite 11: NCHS' Joe Cryer toughened through sibling rivalry
