Wyoming Football Head Coach Begins Major Roster Overhaul After Disappointing 2024 Campaign
LARAMIE, Wyo. — Wyoming Cowboys head football coach Mike Sawvel is in the midst of a significant roster retooling following a challenging 2024 season that saw the team finish with a 3-9 record. The Cowboys were hit hard by injuries and exposed in key areas of their game, but Sawvel remains optimistic about the program’s future and the steps needed to turn things around.
“There is no broken culture here,” Sawvel said. “There’s no divisions, in-fighting, and all that other stuff. We have to play better. We have to do better.”
Sawvel, who took over the program earlier this year, is already hard at work laying the foundation for the 2025 season. The first step in that process was securing 21 early signees during Wednesday’s National Signing Day, with plans to add 18 more recruits by February.
“There’s a plan for everything,” Sawvel said confidently.
Addressing Key Positions and the Transfer Portal
One of the major areas of focus for Sawvel is strengthening the Cowboys’ depth chart. The tight end room, for example, will be depleted after the 2025 season with the graduations of John Michael Gyllenborg and Clay Nanke. To fill this gap, Sawvel is looking to rookies like Landon Pace and Kyle Frendt, both of whom will get a year to develop before being expected to contribute at a high level.
The Cowboys’ long snapper, Carson York, also remains a key piece of the puzzle. Despite only having one season of eligibility left, York’s importance to the team is not overlooked by Sawvel.
With the Transfer Portal set to open on Monday, Sawvel and his coaching staff are gearing up to monitor player movement closely. They’re looking to fill immediate needs, including linebacker, secondary, wide receiver, and defensive tackle.
“There’s a lot of work to do,” Sawvel said. “We have to find the right pieces that fit our program and culture.”
Junior College and High School Recruiting
Sawvel is also pursuing key junior college players to bolster the roster. On Thursday afternoon, Riverside City College quarterback Brady Jones announced on social media that he had received an offer from Wyoming. Jones, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound dual-threat signal-caller, posted impressive numbers in 2023, throwing for 3,723 yards and 42 touchdowns while also adding 338 rushing yards and five scores. He’s also being recruited by several other programs, including UTSA, UTEP, and Western Michigan.
“We’re going to look to sign a junior college quarterback,” Sawvel confirmed, pointing to Jones as a top target.
Additionally, the Cowboys are actively pursuing a junior college linebacker to shore up their defensive unit.
Focusing on the “Come-Up” Players
Sawvel’s approach to recruiting involves focusing on players who are on the rise rather than those with a sense of entitlement or those who see Wyoming as a “step down.” This philosophy stems from a conversation with Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, who emphasized the value of signing hungry players who are eager to be part of a program’s culture.
“Get people on the come up, get people on a rise because they love it,” Sawvel explained. “They can’t wait to be in your program, they can’t wait to be in your building.”
This strategy has paid dividends in the past for Sawvel, who recalled how his team at a previous stop successfully turned around a roster by targeting players who were hungry for success.
Moving Forward: A Big Spring Ahead
With the transfer portal opening soon and decisions about the roster still in progress, Sawvel is clear about his immediate goal: building depth and competition. The Cowboys will need to make tough decisions in the coming weeks, with several players on the “bubble” potentially being asked to find new programs. Some roster spots are already in flux, as two players — quarterback Jayden Clemons and wide receiver Devon Boddie Jr. — left the team midseason, while three other players have announced their intentions to transfer.
Sawvel has already met with several players to discuss their future, and he is preparing for more discussions in the weeks ahead.
“We’re going to find 105 people that ride for the brand,” Sawvel said. “When they wake up, yeah, they have to go to class, but the first thing they better think about is football.”
Roster Breakdown:
- 17 players were honored on Senior Day.
- Two players left midseason: QB Jayden Clemons and WR Devon Boddie Jr.
- Three players have entered the Transfer Portal, with more potential departures in the works.
- Returning players: 95
- New signings: 21 (with 18 more expected in February)
- Total roster count: 116
In the coming months, the Cowboys’ staff will continue to refine the roster, finalize recruitment plans, and prepare for spring practice. As Sawvel noted, the goal is clear: build a competitive, cohesive team that is ready to compete at the highest level in 2025. The foundation is being laid — now it’s time to see who rises to the occasion.
More Wyoming Football News:
- Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players: A deep dive into the history of Cowboy football.
- In-Depth Player Profiles: The next generation of talent to watch in the 2025 season.
- Transfer Portal Update: Who’s leaving, who’s coming in, and how it will shape the roster.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Cowboys continue their journey into a new era of Wyoming football.
