Welcome to Wyoming Football: Justin Popovich
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 | Justin Popovich
YEAR | Senior
HT/WT | 6',3", 209
HOMETOWN | Louisville, Ken.
POSITION | Wide receiver
JERSEY NUMBER | 5
PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Lock Haven
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Two
NOTABLE | Justin Popovich was courted by the likes of West Virginia, Cincinnati, Colorado, Arkansas and Syracuse during his time in free agency. He narrowed his final-four choices to Buffalo, along with Mountain West foes New Mexico and UTEP. Wyoming was the winner. The Kentucky native is coming off a career season, catching 55 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns.
QUOTABLE | "I’m extremely excited to showcase my talent at the FBS level. I know what kind of production I bring to the table ... Now that I’ve been given the opportunity to play FBS ball, I’m confident I will do what I intend to do. The staff obviously has big plans for me." -- Justin Popovich's thoughts on joining an FBS program.
WELCOME TO WYOMING SUMMER SERIES:
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?