Tuck’s Take: Top-10 ‘Keepers’ Ahead of January’s Portal Opening

LARAMIE -- It's never too early to turn the attention to the impending NCAA Transfer portal window, right?

Jay Sawvel has.

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Yes, Wyoming still has one more game remaining on the schedule. It's all but a formality. Postseason hopes died last Saturday inside a sun-splashed War Memorial Stadium, where more than 26,000 fans came to heap praise -- and rightfully so -- on the state's favorite adopted son, Josh Allen.

The climax was the halftime show. The NFL's Most Valuable Player waved and dished out some hugs and autographs before grabbing the microphone and telling the people what they wanted to hear: "I love you." Oh, and "It will always suck to be a CSU Ram!"

That was by far the highlight of the day.

Kaden Anderson and Co. once again stumbled and bumbled through four quarters of abysmal football, managing just seven points against the worst team in the Mountain West. That scrappy Nevada bunch held on for the 13-7 victory, handing the Cowboys their third straight loss.

No. 17 helplessly watched from his perch high above the north end zone.

A goal-line gaffe in the dying seconds simply served as a microcosm for this entire forgettable season -- on that side of the ball, anyway. Wyoming's offense musters 16.8 points per game and has scored just three touchdowns over the previous 13 quarters, prompting Jay Sawvel to shift his focus toward the offseason and a total rebuild -- on that side of the ball, anyway.

Noticing a pattern?

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Hawaii Notebook: Sawvel Confident in Retaining, Adding Talent

* What is True Cost of Competing for a Title at Wyoming?

* Tuck's Take: Another Goal-Line Gaff Derails Pokes' Bowl Hopes

* GALLERY: Josh Allen Receives Hero's Welcome in Wyoming

* Turning Point Unsung Hero and What's Next For UW Football

* Wyoming's Offense Again Sputters in 13-7 Home Loss

* Rants & Raves: Nevada Edition

* FINAL LIVE FILE: Nevada 13, Wyoming 7

* 'We Wanted to be Wyoming Cowboys Forever'

* GALLERY: Josh Allen Returning to Laramie for Jersey Retirement

The timeline once the final horn sounds this Saturday night in Honolulu will look something like this: Early signing day (next Wednesday), in-house meetings (re-recruitment), potentially finding a full-time offensive coordinator (Jovon Bouknight currently has the interim tag) and sifting through the remnants of his roster after free agency begins on Jan. 2 and comes to a close two weeks later.

Remember, this is the only window now. No more worrying about late departures in the spring.

Sawvel said last November he had a Top-10 list of players he couldn't afford to lose on the open market. Six months later, he was elated to report nine of those guys remained, most notably offensive linemen Jack Walsh and Caden Barnett, along with tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and wideouts Chris Durr Jr. and Jaylen Sargent.

He admitted Monday, his new list has already been a work in progress. And let's just say the offense is about to get the "blow torch." His words, not mine.

If Sawvel is making one, so am I. Here are the current players, in my opinion, the Cowboys cannot afford to see walk out the door:

* Tyrese Boss - Cornerback - Redshirt Freshman - 5' 11", 190 - Chino Hills, Calif.

Wyoming's defensive turnaround this fall has been impressive. Arguably the most improved unit belongs to Benny Boyd and a young crop of cornerbacks that has this team ranked 10th in the nation, allowing only 165.2 yards through the air per game. Boss is a major reason for that. The redshirt freshman, who has proven to be one of the most physical defensive backs in the conference, has tallied 39 tackles and has five pass breakups to his credit. If the Cowboys can also keep Boss' running mate, Markie Grant, in the fold, this secondary could once again be one of the best in college football. Freshman Tyson Deen told me Monday he isn't going anywhere. In fact, he says he's staying all four years. He feels like the guys listed above will return, too.

* Samuel Harris - Running Back - Freshman - 5' 11", 170 - Cibolo, Texas

This dynamic freshman won't play another snap this fall after suffering a right knee injury in Saturday's loss to the Wolf Pack. He is undergoing an MRI this week to see the extent of the damage. Sawvel said he doesn't believe it will be anything long term. In a season when the offense can only be described as downright dreadful, the rookie they call "Tote" served as the bright spot. He finished his first collegiate season with 558 yards on 100 carries. He found the end zone once. The military brat also proved to be a weapon out of the backfield, hauling in 16 balls for 184 yards. This backfield could also receive a major boost if Terron Kellman stays put. He missed last Saturday with an eye injury and his status for Hawaii is still unknown.

* Deion DeBlanc - Wide Receiver - Freshman - 5' 10", 185 - Houston, Texas

Did you notice that it was DeBlanc with the ball in his hands on a crucial fourth down late in last Saturday's loss to Nevada? The staff wanted the ball in his hands near the goal line, and he proved it was the right decision, snagging the screen and immediately getting up field for the four-yard conversion. Why? He's not afraid of physicality. DeBlanc was even shifted to the end of the line of scrimmage in this outing, where his task was to block a defensive end. He did. DeBlanc has also shown flashes this fall of his dynamic playmaking ability. He has just 13 grabs for 51 yards, and 49 more on six carries out of the backfield, but he also returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown in a home win over San Jose State. Yes, he's had his shaky moments, too, mainly on special teams, but the coaches put more and more trust in him as the season progressed.

* Ethan Stuhlsatz - Linebacker - Senior - 6' 4", 235 - Wichita, Kan.

The Lindenwood transfer is the future at the middle linebacker spot for the Cowboys next fall, according to Sawvel. That's if he stays. Playing in a reserve role this fall behind Evan Eller, Stuhlsatz was still able to register 34 tackles and break up a throw. Sawvel has spoken highly of his development all season. Gary Rutherford, who was supposed to be on the verge of a breakout year this fall, suffered a knee injury in fall camp that set him back. The emergence of Brayden Johnson also forced him to mostly make an impact on special teams. He sticks around, the outside linebacker role could be his for the taking, though youngsters like Dash Bauman, Steve Perez and Parker Moore are also turning heads. If this linebacker room stays in tact, that would be great news for the future.

* Desman Hearns - Nickelback - Junior - 6' 0", 190 - Clearwater, Fla.

No one on this defense has forced as many turnovers as Hearns this season. The Southern Illinois transfer is tied for the team lead with two interceptions (Brayden Johnson) and has forced two fumbles. Hearns has solidified a young secondary that needed a veteran presence. If the Cowboys can also retain safety Jones Thomas on the backend, this could again be a rock solid unit.

* Rex Johnsen - Offensive Tackle - Junior - 6' 5", 303 - Logan, Iowa

Walsh and Barnett will exhaust their eligibility on Saturday in Hawaii. That's a big blow to the front five heading into the offseason, but this staff obviously knew it was coming. That's why it went heavy on the offensive line in recruiting, bringing in three freshmen who are already listed at 6-foot-5. Sawvel said Monday that's a first since he arrived here in 2020. But, we all know how rare it is that rookies play, especially at that position. Johnsen has a real opportunity to become the leader of this unit, despite having his struggles this fall after a move from right to left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed 20 quarterback pressures on 734 offensive snaps. Thirteen of those have been hurries. Four have been sacks. Securing fellow seniors Wes King and Luke Sandy also has plenty of importance. Same can be said for redshirt freshman Braylon Jenkins, who has been the starter at right tackle over the last four weeks.

* Jayden Williams - Defensive Tackle - Sophomore - 6' 3", 303 - Bryan, Texas

With season-ending injuries to Dante Drake and Caleb Robinson in fall camp -- two guys this staff also needs to stay put -- Jayden Williams needed to fill the void. The sophomore did just that, tallying 22 tackles through 10 games. Remember, he missed one of those tilts for a violation of team rules. That can't happen, but one can hope, with his talent, that was an exception, not the rule. Williams has been credited with 10 quarterback pressures this year, according to PFF, including eight hurries.

* Lucas Samsula - Defensive Tackle - Sophomore - 6' 4", 306 - Plano, Texas

Samsula and Williams, in many ways, are interchangeable here. Both are north of 300 pounds and, at times, have been wrecking balls in the trenches this season. Samsula has tallied 15 tackles and added two sacks. According to PFF, he has eight total quarterback pressures on 157 pass-rush snaps. This defensive tackle unit, again, could be a major strength in 2026. And, barring injuries, deep.

* Peter Eyabi - Defensive End - Junior - 6' 2", 253 - San Diego, Calif.

His numbers certainly don't leap off the page -- 10 tackles to go along with a forced and recovered fumble -- the former Washington State commit is thought to be just scratching the surface of his potential in Laramie. The junior edge rusher is Wyoming's third-highest rated defender, per PFF, behind only Brayden Johnson and Evan Eller. This team needs to replace Tyce Westland and Chisom Ifeanyi. Look for Sawvel and Co. to actively bring in additional defensive ends in the portal, but Eyabi returning, along with Esaia Bogar, would be a solid start.

* Chris Durr Jr. - Wide Receiver - Sophomore - 5' 10", 173 - Chicago, Ill.

We all know this kid is shifty and speedy. Durr again this year leads all receivers with 45 catches. He's turned that into 469 yards and four touchdowns as the offense's primary downfield target. Sawvel has made it no secret he wants bigger, more-physical players in the wideout room. He also wants Durr and DeBlanc to carve out larger roles in the slot. That will come with more consistent quarterback play and what will likely be a new play caller in 2026. If there's one knock on Durr, it's blocking on the perimeter. Still, he's a valuable piece of this offense that you'd hate to lose.