Welcome to Wyoming Football: Jayden Williams
LARAMIE -- Wyoming, once again, has welcomed nearly 50 new faces to the roster this offseason.
Transfer portal era, am I right?
Jay Sawvel again made a list of 10 "keepers" last December, heading into free agency. Running back Samuel "Tote" Harris was, no doubt, high on that list. So were defensive tackles Dante Drake and Jayden Williams. The Cowboys' third-year head coach also wanted to hang on to players like tight end Jake Wilson, wideout Deion DeBlanc, nickel corner Desman Hearns and offensive tackles Rex Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins, among others.
Mission accomplished. All are back for another round on the high plains.
The team did lose its top-four outside targets, including leading receiver Chris Durr Jr., who is now at Maryland. Two impact cornerbacks also hit the open market. Tyrese Boss is at Arizona. Markie Grant headed west to former conference rival Utah State.
Wyoming will also have a new quarterback under center, snagging William and Mary graduate transfer Tyler Hughes, who has one season of eligibility remaining. The hope is he'll right the ship at that spot, keeping the seat warm for Gillette's Mason Drube.
The Cowboys also reloaded in the offensive backfield and at the line of scrimmage, adding 1,000-yard rusher Markell Holman and interior linemen Chandler Donaway, Jason Maciejcak and Jeremiah Katt.
You'll read all about those guys, along with 20-plus freshmen, in this summer series: Welcome to Wyoming football.
NAME | Jayden Williams
YEAR | Freshman
HT/WT | 5',8", 167
HOMETOWN | Las Vegas, Nev.
POSITION | Wide receiver
JERSEY NUMBER | 11
PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Arbor View High School
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Four
NOTABLE | Jayden Williams was one of six true freshmen who enrolled early and participated in spring practice. The 5-foot-8 speedster originally committed to Sacramento State out of Arbor View High School in Las Vegas. Eleven months later, he landed in Laramie. Williams, who snagged 162 passes for 2,898 yards and 35 touchdowns during his prep career, also received offers from Washington State, Portland State, Utah Tech and his hometown school, UNLV. The three-star recruit finished his senior season with 50 catches for 909 yards and 13 scores.
QUOTABLE | "It's doing really good. Everything was real fast paced at first, but once you get the hang of things, it goes really good. The team is looking good. I feel like were progressing really well and were really excited for the season." -- Jayden Williams told KFBC's Keith Kelley in mid-April. You can listen to that full interview HERE.
WELCOME TO WYOMING SUMMER SERIES:
* LB - Anthony Beavers Jr.
* S - Jett Vincent
* WR - Justin Popovich
* QB - Tyler Hughes
* CB - Junus McGraw
* RB - Markell Holman
* CB - Logan Mackey
* S - Travis Franklin Jr.
MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:
* Brooklyn Cheek Eyeing Starting Gig in UW Secondary
* Drake's Love Affair With Football Rekindled Through Adversity
* Richardson Has Coming-Out Party in Pokes' Spring Game
* Cowboy Offense Finds End Zone Five Times in Spring Game Victory
* Pokes' Latest Downfield Threat May Have Been on Roster All Along
* Wyoming Teammates on Johnathan Bush: 'He's Our Psycho'
* Josh Allen to Tyler Hughes: Wyoming Football 'One Step Away'
* New UW President on Athletics: 'We Will Compete'
* Landon Sims: 'You Can't Get Rid of Me That Easy'
* Sawvel Believes This Could Be His Best Defense at Wyoming
* Lofty Expectations Ahead for Desman Hearns
* Wyoming's Staff Expecting Inside Dominance From Jayden Williams
* PJ Jackson Looks an Awful Lot Like a Former UW Receiver
* Are the Cowboys Really Flirting With Adding an Option Attack?
University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players