Isaac Schoenfeld Ready to Expand Role in Cowboys’ Offense
- Jeff Bugher
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
LARAMIE, Wyo. - For University of Wyoming tight end Isaac Schoenfeld, things just feel different heading into his junior season. The Rock Springs, Wyoming native stands at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds...imposing...yes. But it's his growth in confidence and focus that has him excited for the 2025 season to begin.
This year feels different from the top down.
“Yeah, I think it's been different,” Schoenfeld said of this year’s spring camp compared to last. “I feel more confident in myself and my ability to play football.”
That confidence, he said, extends beyond himself and the team. He sees it in his head coach, Jay Sawvel.
“I feel like overall with the team...Sawvel’s got that year mark now.”
Schoenfeld described this offseason as carrying a “more business feeling” than previous years and noted a shift in team-wide intensity.
“I think we’ve served a bigger emphasis on our physicality and intensity, and I think the whole team definitely feels that.”
Schoenfeld carved out a role as a reliable blocker last season while seeing action in all 12 games, something that didn’t come naturally when he first arrived in Laramie. But under the guidance of Wyoming tight ends coach Shannon Moore, he’s transformed.
“I don’t think I’d be where I am today,” Schoenfeld said. “He really cares about us and developing [us]. When I came in, I wasn’t really much of a blocker in high school... everything I’ve learned about blocking, I learned here.”
Blocking may still be his bread and butter, but the junior tight end is aiming higher.
“It’s largely blocking [now], but I’m really hoping to expand my role in the passing game as well,” he said. “I'm hoping for a larger role... maybe get more involved…be a little bit in the passing game. But yeah, definitely expand my role.”
Schoenfeld is part of a loaded tight end group, headlined by John Michael Gyllenborg, who’s widely considered one of the top tight ends in the Mountain West Conference. The tight end position is so stacked that Clay Nanke switched over to the wide receiver during the offseason.
Brown and Gold Roots
The former Rock Springs Tiger is well aware that he’s repping his home state of Wyoming.
“It means a lot to me,” he said. “I remember when I was little, running around during games at War Memorial, and now playing for the Pokes, being from the state... I think it means a lot to me and the people.”
Off the field, Schoenfeld embraces all things Wyoming.
“Well, if you knew I’m from Wyoming, you probably have to have fish,” he laughed. “If I'm not at football practice or doing school, I’m out trying to go catch some fish or hunt.”
When asked about his spirit animal, the soft-spoken tight end gave a thoughtful, uniquely Wyoming answer.
“I’ve never actually thought about that before,” he said, pausing. “I guess just off the top of my head... I love elk. People might see them and think they’re just another animal, but if you study them and you look into them, there’s so much else going on with them. I really like them, I guess.”
Whether it’s hauling in passes or sealing the edge in the run game, expect to see more of Schoenfeld this fall. And if you don’t catch him at War Memorial Stadium, you might find him waist-deep in a stream, fishing rod in hand, embodying everything it means to be a Wyomingite.
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