Welcome to Wyoming Football: Justin Taylor
LARAMIE -- Wyoming has welcomed nearly 50 new faces this offseason.
Transfer portal era, am I right?
Jay Sawvel knew a rebuild on defense was in order after losing both starting linebackers and safeties, along with leaders like Jordan Bertagnole and DeVonne Harris. The departures of Wrook Brown, Sabastian Harsh and Keany Parks only magnified things.
The second-year head coach got busy, inking a dozen transfers on that side of the ball on February's traditional signing day and adding three more since the annual spring game.
On offense, the damage was limited.
Yes, running back Harrison Waylee is now at Virginia. Young wideout Justin Stevenson is a Utah Ute now, too. But if you ask Sawvel, he kept the players he wanted on offense, beginning with quarterback Kaden Anderson.
Three of the Cowboys' top linemen -- Jack Walsh, Caden Barnett and Wes King -- are also back. So is tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, wide receivers Chris Durr Jr. and Jaylen Sargent, along with leading rusher Sam Scott.
So, without further ado, let's spent the summer meeting the new players that litter this 2025 roster:
NAME | Justin Taylor
YEAR | Sophomore
HT/WT | 6' 0", 200
HOMETOWN | Chicago, Ill.
POSITION | Defensive back
JERSEY NUMBER | 21
PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Wisconsin
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Three
NOTABLE | Justin Taylor received nearly 20 FBS offers out of Nazareth Academy where he was a two-time All-State selection and a three-star prospect. A number of the schools showing interest came from the Power-4 level, including the likes of Michigan, Ole Miss, Penn State, Purdue and many others. Kansas State officially offered. So did Wisconsin, where Taylor spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career. He redshirted his first year and appeared in just two games last fall. He again went in search of an opportunity. One of the initial schools seeking his services was Wyoming and cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd. He didn't miss the second time. During his senior year of high school, Taylor tallied 33 tackles and 10 pass breakups. He also hauled in 48 passes for 402 yards at the receiver spot.
QUOTABLE | "I'm always going to embrace whatever challenge is thrown my way. I tell the coaches all the time, I say, 'I'm going to be the guy that you need me to be, whether it's corner, whether it's safety.' Going out there and playing football for Wyoming is my only concern," -- Justin Taylor on what position he will play in Laramie in 2025
WELCOME TO WYOMING FOOTBALL SERIES:
* BJ Inmon
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* Wyoming loses starting cornerback to transfer portal
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* Double or nothing: Pokes' makeshift front five falters late
* Wyoming looking to add to roster with spring portal looming
University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players