Jack Walsh Reflects on Wyoming Career While Awaiting NFL Call
- Jeff Bugher
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
PALATINE, Ill. – For second-generation University of Wyoming football player Jack Walsh, he eagerly awaits his opportunity to show the NFL what he can do.
Now back home in Palatine outside of Chicago, surrounded by family, the former Wyoming Cowboys football center is embracing every moment as day three of the NFL Draft unfolds.
“I'm back in Chicago with all the family, just hanging out and waiting, just playing the waiting game,” Walsh said.
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His patience comes after months of preparation and years of steady development in Laramie, where Walsh built a reputation as one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the Mountain West conference. After he pulled the final snap against Hawaii last November, he has continued to prepare for his future.
“On December 20th, I flew down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I was training down there at Bommarito Performance Systems,” Walsh said. “I was there all the way up until the end of February. I then came back for a little bit of training, just like a week before the pro day, and then did my thing at the pro day.”
Walsh accepted an invitation to play in the Hula Bowl, where he had the chance to meet with several teams and also show them what he can do. It was a true game preparation and gameday experience.
Since UW NFL pro day, Walsh has been staying ready.
“After the pro day, I just stayed in Laramie working out there… just staying in football shape and staying ready.”
Walsh has seen interest from NFL teams across the league. He participated in a local pro day with the Chicago Bears, visited the Denver Broncos, and fielded calls and communications from multiple franchises.
“I've talked to a handful of teams on the phone, the Raiders, the Bills reached out to my agent. I've talked to the Chiefs… and then a couple of other teams have reached out about filling out questionnaires and stuff like that.”
Those conversations, while not flashy, have been meaningful.
“A lot of it was just getting draft day information, phone numbers, right, and all that kind of stuff… and they let me know that they're interested in me and they're hopeful that maybe I have a chance of going playing for their teams.”
Among the teams showing interest, Walsh noted a few that have stood out in the process.
“There's definitely some interest,” Walsh said.
What was the Chicago Bears local pro day like? …And his visit with the Denver Broncos.
“Yeah, with the Bears, it was a lot like the pro day in Laramie. We only ran the 40 yard dash and then we just had drills, offensive line drills,” Walsh said. “With the Broncos, that was more of just kind of a visit, getting to meet with coaches and stuff like that, getting to see the facilities and all that kind of different stuff.”
“I met the offensive line coach, which is nice. We talked it up for about an hour.”
Although Walsh has no idea where his name will get called, he’s keeping things in perspective. Whether his name is called late in the draft or an opportunity comes immediately after, he’s hanging out with his family in Illinois today.
“Whether my name gets called… or I'm getting signed right after the draft, whatever happens, happens,” Walsh said. “Just getting in the building. That's all that matters…I’m just looking forward to whatever opportunity comes my way.”
That mindset reflects the same consistency Walsh showed throughout his Wyoming career. A five-year Cowboy, he developed into a cornerstone of the offensive line. In 2024, he started 10 games, logged over 650 snaps, did not allow a sack, and earned All-Mountain West honors while helping power one of the conference’s most efficient offenses. He followed that by starting at center in 12 games at center in 2026, anchoring the unit once again.
But when asked to reflect on his time in Laramie, Walsh didn’t hesitate in the least.
“I think one, definitely when we beat Texas Tech in ’23. That was an amazing, and an amazing feeling… I think all the CSU games… winning it as a senior is really important, and it kind of really tells everything about your class.”
“And then just being able to say I did all five years at Wyoming… just representing the state, the football program, the athletic department the best fashion that I could… that's the greatest thing that I'll remember.”
That connection to Wyoming runs deeper than just his own career. As a second-generation Cowboy, his father, John Walsh, played for Wyoming in the late 1980s.
“It means everything,” Walsh said. “My dad's always had a special love for Wyoming… he's met some of his best friends out there… and it just served him so well.”
“it's going to do the same for me. Wyoming taught me toughness and being humble and to do it for the guy next to you… Wyoming just teaches you to be a gritty, hard worker.”
What message does Walsh have for Cowboy fans, who Walsh says made his five years unforgettable?
“Thank you. Thanks for all the support,” Walsh said. “I think they're the greatest fans ever… no matter how good of a team we had that year or how bad, we always had so many supporters at the games.”
“They made it just an absolute electric atmosphere every week… it was just a privilege to play in front of all of them. I'll forever be in debt to the entire state of Wyoming… It's been an absolute blessing for my family and me.”
As the final rounds of the NFL Draft continue, Walsh knows the outcome is uncertain. But the path forward for Walsh is simple: he just wants to play football…whether it’s the NFL, CFL, or another opportunity.
But for now, it’s back to waiting as he is surrounded by family, phone in hand, ready for whatever comes next.
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