Sawvel Sees Progress, Demands Cleaner Execution After First Day in Pads
- Jeff Bugher
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Saturday was the first spring football padded practice. Head football coach Jay Sawvel had been anticipating this day since earlier in the week, as he wanted to see how his team would perform in full uniform.
In post-practice interviews, Sawvel appears to be looking for perfection. He didn’t even think it was close… but it was progress. The biggest factor is the new style offense, which includes lots of dynamic packages with option plays that new offensive coordinator Christian Taylor is installing. PokesNews.com wrote about Taylor's creative play-calling last December, and most elements are here at Wyoming now.
“…We've got to up our pace, up our tempo on some things,” Sawvel said. “That happens when there's a lot of install going on. So you've got to play fast, right?
Saturday’s practice stretched a bit longer than expected.
“Overall, we got good work. We got a lot of good work,” Sawvel said. “But what should have been two hours of work took us about two hours and 15 minutes to get that work… Not from lack of effort, but just lack of execution.”
That standard isn’t going anywhere.
“There’s a standard. This group does a pretty good job with that standard, and I want to make sure we hold that.”
Offensive install showing complexity
Sawvel wanted offensive creativity, and he's found that in Christian Taylor. Taylor is implementing an offensive package that includes many looks.
“There’s a lot going on,” Sawvel said. “It's new… now you're getting at full speed, and there's movement, and there's a lot going on.”
That volume is intentional.
“We do get a lot of plays, so we've advanced our install a little bit as well… there's a volume there that they're handling.”
Running back Samuel “Tote” Harris sees it firsthand.
“It’s good, but you definitely got to put your head IN between the lines you're not reading,” Harris said. “Because the language, if you miss one thing, you'll miss an entire play. It's a really good offense.”
Quarterbacks
Probably the most glaring difference in the quarterback room is the chemistry. Christian Taylor was active throughout practice, very involved, and it's at a different level than what we saw in Laramie the last couple of years. The communication in the room appears to be really good. William and Mary transfer QB Tyler Hughes is settling right into the scheme of things.
Not just your average QB…
Tyler Hughes has shown a lot in practice. Obviously, it’s spring ball…and pecking orders are being sorted out. Hughes shows he is deserving of the top spot in the pecking order.
PokesNews.com notes:
· Can pass effectively
· Very mobile
· Can run with the ball, fast!
· Scans the field
· Leadership
That’s not to take anything away from the rest of the room. Gillette, Wyoming native Mason Drube showed steady improvement over last year. He certainly is establishing himself in the mix, but he still has a lot to learn…he’s still young.
Tote Harris eyeing breakout year
Sophomore running back Samuel “Tote” Harris returns as the leading productive back from 2025. During his freshman season, the Texas native had 100 rushing attempts for 550 yards and one touchdown.
“Year one, I feel like it was a blur. It was definitely a blessing,” Harris said. “But for year two, I just want … at least 1200 yards, you know, Mountain West Conference Championship.”
He also has a clear touchdown goal… how many times does he want to see the end zone in 2026?
“At least ten… either through the air or on the ground.”
Harris says he’s feeling close to full speed.
“I’m feeling pretty good, though,” he said.
*Edit: We sincerely apologize for the grammatical error in a quote by Samuel "Tote" Harris. It didn't impact the accuracy of factual reporting. We also modified the wording for option formations.
About the Author:
Jeff Bugher is a third-generation Wyomingite living in Casper, Wyoming. He is a sportswriter and Wyoming Cowboys/Cowgirls enthusiast who is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA ) and the National Sports Media Association (NSMA). Jeff's work has been cited by Sports Illustrated, one of the world's leading sports publications.
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