By Jeff Bugher
Following Wyoming's second spring practice, head coach Jay Sawvel provided insights into the team's progress, standout players, and areas for improvement. Sawvel, known for his candid and "open book" assessments, shared his observations on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, offering a glimpse into the team's development.
Sawvel opened by acknowledging the team's efforts, highlighting the defensive unit's ability to disrupt plays by getting their hands on the ball. He stated,
"We got our hands on quite a few balls, which is a good thing."
However, he also stressed the need for offensive improvement in protecting the football. He emphasized,
"offensively, we got to do a little bit better job on a couple of situations of protecting the football."
Regarding standout players, Sawvel was cautious not to make premature assessments, particularly without full-pad practices. However, he did commend DJ Jones for his competitive nature and anticipated his contributions across multiple facets of the game. Sawvel remarked,
"DJ Jones is going to help us in a number of ways...he's a super high competitive guy."
One particular player discussed was Jack Walsh, praised not only for his on-field performance but also for his leadership qualities. Sawvel expressed admiration for Walsh's fearlessness in holding teammates accountable to a high standard, stating,
"Jack Walsh isn't afraid to call anybody out...he's worth his weight in gold."
Transitioning to defensive backs, Sawvel addressed the loss of key players and the importance of experienced players like Tyrecus Davis and Isaac White in maintaining consistency and minimizing defensive lapses. He stressed the need for increased takeaways to elevate the team's defensive performance further. Sawvel emphasized,
"our biggest thing...is create more takeaways...that's a focus of what we're trying to get done."
In terms of special teams, Sawvel discussed the competition at the punter position, highlighting Wyoming native Keelan Anderson's strong work ethic and competitive drive. He expressed optimism about Anderson. Sawvel remarked,
"I like Keelan a lot...he's a really good worker...and he's competitive."