Sawvel Sees Progress, Demands Cleaner Execution After First Day in Pads
- Jeff Bugher
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Saturday was the first day during spring camp that the players wore pads. Head football coach Jay Sawvel had been anticipating this day earlier in the week, as he wanted to see his team in full uniform, and not just in spiders.
Sawvel appears to be eying perfection, as he didn’t feel the practice was perfect. He didn’t even think it was close… But it was progress. The biggest factor is the new triple-option-style offense (and more) that new offensive coordinator Christian Taylor is installing. Something PokesNews.com wrote about as part of Taylor's creative play-calling last December.
“…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, a result of repetition and refinement rather than effort.
“Overall, we got good work. We got a lot of good work,” Sawvel said. “But what should have been 2 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.”
According to Sawvel, 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 a triple-option system 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 the 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 the entire practice, very involved, and it's not something we’ve seen in Laramie in a while. 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 scoring goal… how many times does he want to see the end zone in 2026?
“At least 10… either through the air or on the ground.”
Even in limited spring work, Harris says he’s feeling close to full speed.
“I’m feeling pretty good, though,” he said.
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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