UW Awaiting Green Light From NCAA Before Offering Miller, Johnson

LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel confirmed Wednesday, following the team's first official practice of fall camp, that he would be open to welcoming Dainsus Miller and Brayden Johnson back to the program.

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Now, it's in the NCAA's hands, Wyoming's third-year head coach added.

"The only update that I knew, as of yesterday, it was all in a holding pattern," he said.

What Sawvel is referring to is a recent court decision in Colorado granting members of the 2022 an additional year of eligibility. 

The NCAA appealed the decision on Monday.

This preliminary injunction only allows players who just exhausted their eligibility to return to their former school, unless they entered the NCAA Transfer Portal last January. Neither Miller nor Johnson did that, thinking their college tenures were over and hoping to start professional football careers.

This most-recent chaos stems from a new eligibility model adopted and approved by the NCAA in June, allowing all student-athletes five seasons of eligibility, better known as the "5-in-5 rule."

Sawvel said he has reached out to both players, letting them know he is fully aware of the judgement. He added that he told the duo there won't be any offers made until there is an official green light on the decision. He compared this latest twist in the college football universe to the GPS rerouting your course.

"I don't know what the rules are," Sawvel joked, saying former Wyoming All-American linebacker Logan Wilson didn't play five seasons and would be welcomed back.

Indiana edge rusher Stephen Davey has already returned to the roster and practice in Bloomington. North Carolina placekicker Rece Verhoff is also back in Chapel Hill, taking advantage of a fifth season.

"I don't know what's about to happen, but in this make-believe world, if this happens, let's do this," Sawvel said.

Miller started seven games and appeared in 11 of 12 for the Cowboys during his lone season on the high plains after transferring from Mercer. He registered 27 tackles and broke up five passes. He also forced a fumble, tracking down Colorado running back Micah Welch, who appeared to be cruising into the end zone from 45 yards out. Miller, a Georgia native, hauled him down inside the 5-yard line despite the visitors trailing by 15 points late in the third quarter.

"When I first heard the news, I really just wanted to see if it was real before any real excitement came," the 5-foot-10, 181-pound cornerback told 7220sports.com on Monday. "If anything, I’ll just be grateful for another opportunity and will make the most of it, for sure."

Sawvel admitted Thursday Miller wants to return. The transition could be made easier due to the fact he is also currently enrolled in classes as he finishes up his degree.

Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound middle linebacker, led the team in tackles during his only year in Laramie, racking up 81 stops and a sack. He also picked off two passes: one deep inside the red zone in the season opener at Akron and another he returned for a 65-yard touchdown in a victory over San Jose State.

The Oklahoma native, who was an undrafted invitee to the New Orleans Saints rookie mini camp in the spring, earned second team All-Mountain West honors.

Sawvel said Johnson is getting married in the fall, which certainly isn't conducive to playing college football.

"Sometimes guys start to transition into life, so it's not just a slam dunk that automatically everybody just comes back," he added. "So, you know, that'll be a conversation when I know."

Despite this verdict, roster limits are still "hard capped" at 105. How would Wyoming get around this? Sawvel said that won't be an issue.

Injuries, for one. Offensive tackle Nate Geiger will miss the entire 2026 campaign with a knee injury. Fellow linemen Brandt Rice and Jake Davies are also sidelined for an unknown period of time. Wide receiver Tyler Nystrom, quarterback Taylor Hasselbeck and defensive tackle Cody Crawford are also sidelined after suffering ACL tears.

Anthony Beavers Jr. recently was on the wrong end of an NCAA ruling, his extension waiver -- and subsequent appeal -- was denied because of a "lack of documentation" from his former school, USC.

Walk-ons also don't count against the cap. Wyoming currently has 112 players on its roster.

Miller told 7220sports.com Monday he knows if this ruling sticks, he won't automatically step in and return to his starting role. The Cowboys have already completed two days of fall camp.

"I've been staying in shape in hopes of getting an opportunity somewhere," Miller said. "I wouldn’t go in expecting a spot to be handed to me. I'm open to starting from the ground and working my way back in to play."

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