Veterans Lead, Young Talent Rises in Wyoming Fall Camp

Jeff Bugher
Aug 3
3 min read

University of Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel. Photo courtesy of UW Athletics.

LARAMIE, Wyo. - With a wet grass field and a rising sun over Laramie, Wyoming’s fall camp practice shifted inside War Memorial Stadium on Friday. Head coach Jay Sawvel used the opportunity to test his team’s depth in the heat on the turf.

“We got quite a bit of rain yesterday... You don’t want to be on wet, wet grass,” Sawvel said post-practice. “But what people don’t realize is that even when it’s 80 degrees outside, that turf can get to 105, 108, even 120 on the surface. We needed that today.”

The turf wasn’t the only thing heating up.

Depth Battle Emerging at Multiple Positions

From the offensive line to the running backs to the specialists, competition has taken hold early in camp, making a mark further ahead than this time last year.

“We’re trying to build depth at all positions,” Sawvel said. “That was a weakness we had a year ago.”

The running back room might be the deepest on the roster. Sam Scott, Damashja Harris, Max White, Sam Harris, and Terron Kellman are all getting meaningful reps.

“Sam Harris runs a 10.5,” Sawvel said. “He’s behind several guys right now, but he’s going to hit a bunch of home runs during his time here. There’s not been a back here that has that gear.”

The offensive line is seeing its own form of internal accountability, especially from veteran leader Caden Barnett, who was seen coaching up younger tackle Braylon Jenkins during a late-practice period.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” Sawvel said, quoting the bible. “We need Braylon to reach his potential - on Caden Barnett’s timeline, not Braylon Jenkins’.”

Redshirt freshman tackle Gio Panozzo is another emerging name with a bright future.

“He’s gained about 50 pounds since he got here,” Sawvel said. “Geo’s going to be a good player in the program.”

Tight Ends and Size at Wide Receiver

Wyoming’s tight end room is one of the most stable units on the roster, with senior leadership and exciting youth in Landon Pace.

“We’re not running out of tight ends anytime soon,” Sawvel said. “That position is foundational for us.”

Meanwhile, graduate wide receiver Mike Fitzgerald, a former basketball player, has impressed with his range and hands.

“He caught one today well outside his frame with just two hands - way behind him,” Sawvel said. “He’s a huge target with a big catch radius.”

Specialists Taking Shape

Sawvel (who is also the kicking coach), said the battles for kicking and punting duties are wide open. He noted that Thursday’s practice included some team punt periods.

“If we played today, Bart Edmiston would be our punter,” Sawvel said. “He averaged over 50 yards a punt the other day.”

At kicker, it’s neck-and-neck.

“[Erik] Sandvik probably has a slight edge on Keelan [Anderson], but it’s close,” he said.

Carson York is holding down the long snapper role, and Gavyn Helm has earned praise for his steady hands as a holder.

Encouraged by the Install Pace

After four practices, Sawvel believes the Cowboys are ahead of schedule in terms of installation and tempo.

“We’re ahead of the curve from where we were a year ago,” he said. “We’ve already done two-minute drills, third-down work - it’s good.”

The Cowboys will have a full-padded practice Monday and Tuesday next week before scrimmaging on Thursday, August 7th. Another scrimmage is set for August 14th. All future fall practices and scrimmages are closed to the media and public.

For now, Sawvel is encouraged. But he’s not ready to call anything finished.

“There’s a lot to work on, a lot to improve, a lot to fix-but also some good things to show.”