From Visitor to Cowboy: Jaden DaCosta Finds His Fit in Laramie
- Jeff Bugher
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
LARAMIE, Wyoming - Safety Jaden DaCosta didn’t expect his return to War Memorial Stadium to come in brown and gold.
Dacosta transferred to the University of Wyoming last December from Portland State, where he traveled to Laramie once before, as a visitor in 2023. He had no idea he’d be calling it home two years later.
“I did make the trip to Laramie,” DaCosta said when asked if he traveled with Portland State to Wyoming. “It's kind of funny how I'm back in Laramie, but I never would have thought I would be here, back then.”
The 6-foot-tall, 202-pound physical, instinctual safety is hoping to make a significant impact for the Cowboys immediately.
DaCosta remembers the 2023 matchup well. An early-season victory for the Cowboys, who defeated Portland State 31-17 when the whistle blew. Longtime head coach Craig Bohl retired on top following a Barstool Arizona Bowl victory that year. “I thought we had played a good game. We had stuck with them till the end of the game,” he said. “But as far as the team, I thought they were physical. I thought the guys [were tough].”
That style of football, blue-collar and defense-first, is exactly what drew him to UW when he hit the transfer portal.
"I'm not about the money. I'm not about going to some big program," he said. "I wanted to find the right fit...and as soon as I hit the portal, Coach Jay Sawvel, and Coach Aaron Bohl reached out and were great. I had a really good time visiting with them."
While DaCosta had an offer from Arkansas State and interest from other programs, he didn’t take any other visits. “It was really a visit to Wyoming on a Friday,” he said. “I was getting ready to sign on that Saturday, so I was signed when I got to the Denver airport and…”
"The rest is history."
The Cowboys’ defensive legacy, especially in the secondary, is something DaCosta embraces. He said former defensive coordinator and current head coach Jay Sawvel’s involvement was a big part of his decision.
“My last school, my head coach was kind of an offensive line [coach],” DaCosta said. “When I was looking to make a move, I really liked having hands-on, honest, transparent feedback. So getting that from three different angles, the defensive coordinator, your head coach, and your position coach, has been incredible.”
DaCosta's time at Portland State:
2024: Jaden DaCosta played the linebacker position. He tallied 36 total tackles, including 22 solo stops and 14 assists, while also forcing one fumble. One of his standout performances came against Boise State, where he recorded six tackles and forced a fumble. He notched a career-high eight tackles in a game against Sacramento State and followed that with a strong showing against Montana, racking up seven tackles and adding a pass breakup. As a freshman, DaCosta saw limited action, finishing with four total tackles, thereby keeping his redshirt designation.
DaCosta will line up at safety this fall, and he’s already earned praise during spring ball. His goal is to bring “a physical presence, like bringing a lunch pail... bringing that talent back to the program.”
He’s also excited for what fans can expect this season in Laramie.
“The first thing I want to say about the fans is that I love the atmosphere,” he said. “I think they can expect more wins, physical ball, and playing football the right way.”
DaCosta has three years of eligibility left and is majoring in business marketing - a degree he hopes will give him flexibility and opportunity after football.
“In the landscape of business nowadays, being able to market, and to market yourself as well as a business, is a really important skill to have,” he said. “I think business marketing covers pretty much what I want to do.”
Off the field, DaCosta’s personality is just as multidimensional. He’s been mentored for years by personal coach Rich Carter, a linebacker coach who’s shaped his game since he was 15. “Everything that I know… he really developed my mind and confidence in back coverage,” DaCosta said. DaCosta also wanted to make sure to mention his Father as well.
Since arriving in Laramie, he’s also leaned on University of Wyoming Director of Sports Performance Eric Donoval. “He's dedicated to the program and wants to see everybody get better. He’s been an awesome part of this first little bit of being at Wyoming,” DaCosta said.
His hobbies outside of football? Music.
“I just took up learning a little bit of music theory and doing some stuff at my house,” he said. “When I get home and get some time online, I like to dive into music.”
As for his spirit animal?
“It sounds kind of cliché, but it’s a lion for sure.”
It’s a fitting answer.
DaCosta’s journey from standing on the other side as a visiting opponent to now a Wyoming safety wasn't easy. Still, the Cowboys hope he will help anchor their secondary this fall.
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