Wyoming’s Sam Scott Has Sights Set on Starting, Cementing Legacy
LARAMIE -- Apprehensive? Scared? Threatened?
Nah.
Sam Scott says he isn't intimidated by the additions to the Wyoming backfield this offseason, though, admittedly, it was a bit of a surprise to see six new faces, including three veterans out of the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Yes, they are here to take his job. Jay Sawvel said the race for the starting gig, though tight, is wide open with one week remaining in fall camp.
To make matters even more challenging for the senior, he could only helplessly watch from the sideline during the spring, still dealing with a lingering knee contusion he suffered late in the 2024 season.
Bitter? Upset? Betrayed?
No, that's not Scott's mindset. Despite being the team's leading rusher last fall, rolling up 435 yards on just 92 carries, he knows everything at this level must be earned on a daily basis.
"It should be just a challenge, competition and really it just gives me the opportunity to step more into a leadership role because we have so many new backs," he said. "I'm willing to do that, and I'm excited to do that. I'm excited to see what we're able to do this fall camp, and just the camaraderie and the competition that we're going to have.
"I think it's going to be good."
That doesn't mean Scott isn't ready to fight tooth and nail for a job he feels is his to lose.
Offensive coaches last fall talked often about utilizing his versatility, lining up the 6-foot-2, 227-pound Omaha product all over the field: tight end, slot, fullback, running back. Scott proved them right, hauling in 12 passes for 74 yards and a score. The touchdown was a 41-yard strike over the middle, courtesy of a second-quarter heave from Evan Svoboda at North Texas.
It should've happened twice that night in muggy Denton, too. The first attempt was airmailed by the young quarterback.
Scott also stabilized a backfield in flux.
Harrison Waylee was supposed to be the featured back. That is until he suffered yet another knee injury in camp and didn't return until late in the year. DJ Jones then was supposed to be the answer. The North Carolina transfer transitioned to the backfield after spending the 2023 season in the Tar Heels' secondary.
He lasted all of four games before leaving the program for personal reasons.
Next up? Jamari Ferrell. The feel-good senior with the wide grin did help steady the ship, amassing 318 yards and a score. Dawaiian McNeely, a sixth-year senior, again suffered a season-ending injury. He carried the ball twice. He was injured on both attempts.
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Scott is the only holdover from a forgettable '24 campaign that saw the Cowboys average just 3.6 yards per carry. Only San Diego State, Fresno State, Hawaii and San Jose State rushed for less yards a game than Wyoming.
Sawvel said during the offseason he wanted at least eight healthy bodies in the backfield, making this roster, at that position, more injury resistant.
The second-year head coach went out and immediately added Charlotte transfer Terron Kellman in the spring. Damashja Harris (North Texas) and Max White (Iowa) arrived in May. So did a trio of rookies: Patrick Broadway II, Jaden Lawrence and Samuel "Tote" Harris.
Sawvel has already said the latter will not redshirt this season. Broadway will miss the entire campaign with a torn ACL.
Dontae Burch and Nico Hamilton are also still in the running for playing time.
Sawvel spent time this winter pouring over analytics. One that stuck out: broken tackles. He called that aspect "awful," adding a number of opponents had season-low's in misses against the Cowboys.
That has been a primary focus this August.
"There's going to be a lot of live situations in fall camp where it's, who's going to run through somebody's face? Who can make somebody miss? Who can get four yards and turn it into eight?" Sawvel said.
So far, Scott has passed that test.
"Sam's physically ready to go," he continued. "For Sam, you know, it's needed -- there's competition. If Sam comes out on top and he's the back carrying it 18-to-22 times, Sam's going to earn it. He's going to have to show that he's better at the whole range of football than other guys.
"... He was a guy who carried it a lot last year. He would need to improve over where he was a year ago. The 2024 version of our run game cannot be the 2025 version of our run game. Like, there's a reason that we got all these guys here now."
No matter who trots onto the field first at Akron, this won't be a one-man job.
"There's no such thing as a one bell-cow back, getting 30 carries a game," said Gary Harrell, Wyoming's first-year running backs coach. "That isn't happening anymore, especially if you want someone to play the rest of the season. So, it's good to express that, 'Hey, we're going to be rolling two, maybe three.'
"I think that helps the competition in the room. I think that breeds a little camaraderie, as well."
Adversity is nothing new for Scott.
You might recall, he was brought here by Craig Bohl to play linebacker. He did just that throughout the 2021 and '22 season before being asked to switch positions in the weeks leading up to the Arizona Bowl.
Wyoming was fresh out of running backs. Scott had experience, capping his senior year at Skutt Catholic with 684 yards on the ground on only 62 carries. That's an average of 11 yards per attempt. He also found the end zone eight times.
He hasn't left the offensive huddle since.
While he still wants to be utilized in any and all ways that lead to victories, Scott said it is important to put a stamp on his final season in Laramie by solidifying himself as the go-to option at one position.
"I want to be cemented in the running back position. Running back first," he said. "I'm excited to go for that, and really shoot for that. I know, in year's past, I've had situations where they've kind of wanted to use me in different ways. I was blocking a lot. I'm still able to do all those things, but I just want to hone my craft at running back and just become better at cuts, become better at just all the tangibles you need at the position.
"I think I can really do that."
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Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
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