Wyoming Freshman Running Back Ryken Banks Out for 2026 With Torn ACL

Jeff Bugher
3 hours ago
3 min read

Ryken Banks. Photo courtesy of UW Athletics

LARAMIE, Wyo. - University of Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel told the media following the scrimmage last Saturday that freshman running back Ryken Banks might be injured, to the extent that he was unsure. Banks was seen on the sidelines in a brace with crutches midway through the scrimmage. On Tuesday, Sawvel confirmed that Banks suffered a torn ACL and he will be out for the season. Sawvel also mentioned that there's some uncertainty to the extent of the injury

“We know it's an ACL. We know there's a couple [of] possibilities that could be something meniscal too, but then your surgeon gets in there and makes that decision,” Sawvel said. “So Ryken will miss the season and feel for him.”

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Banks’ injury comes following freshman quarterback Taylor Hasselbeck, who had an ACL injury just prior to the start of fall camp.

“I think, unlike Hasselbeck…Hasselbeck had an ACL and nothing else,” Sawvel said. “So I think it's easy for us to think that Taylor is probably practicing next spring and pretty much fully cleared.”

Banks' recovery timeline could be less straightforward depending on what doctors find beyond the ACL damage.

Banks came to the University of Wyoming as a three-star prospect out of Legend High School in Parker, Colorado. The 6-foot, 206-pound running back was rated by 247Sports as the No. 29 prospect in Colorado per his UW bio.

He rushed for more than 1,200 yards as a senior at Legend and averaged more than 100 rushing yards per game while adding approximately 40 receiving yards per contest. Banks accounted for 25 touchdowns during the season.

Banks also competed in track and field and lacrosse in high school. He received recruiting interest from Ohio, Air Force, and Army before joining Wyoming.

An interesting fact: Legend High School also produced former Wyoming standout and current NFL linebacker Chad Muma.

Sawvel reflected on Banks’ character following the injury.

“You know, you love his attitude,” Sawvel said. “The worst thing that can happen in a sense is when a kid apologizes to you for getting injured. It tells you what his heart is, and that's tough as a coach sometimes when a guy does that.”

How significantly will the injury impact Wyoming in 2026?

While losing any player for the season hurts, thankfully the running back position is stacked at UW, barring any further injuries.

The newly enacted NCAA five-for-five rule means Banks wasn’t able to get a redshirt year for 2026, and it also means he won’t be able to claim a medical exemption for the missed season. The five-year clock started as soon as he enrolled.

The freshman entered fall camp surrounded by a large stable of very capable running backs, led by returning 2025 rushing leader Samuel “Tote” Harris. The Cowboys' running back room also includes Markell Holman, Jaden Lawrence, Nico Hamilton, Diore Hubbard, Dontae Burch and Niko Varelas.

Wyoming has dealt with stretches in recent years when injuries left the Cowboys thin at running back. Sawvel has previously discussed the intention to have depth at the position specifically to prevent the Cowboys from finding themselves in that situation again. Remember when linebacker Sam Scott was asked to be a running back before the Arizona Bowl in 2022?

It is very apparent that he loaded up the stable.

Even though Banks wasn’t projected to be a starting player during his freshman campaign, being out for the season doesn’t leave Wyoming scrambling to find bodies in the backfield. The Cowboys still have a combination of returning production, experience, and young talent available.

Harris is already the established starter after leading the Cowboys in rushing last season. He appeared in 11 games with seven starts, rushing 100 times for 558 yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He also caught 16 passes for 184 yards.

The depth behind Harris gives the coaching staff options, as it determines how carries will be distributed in offensive coordinator Christian Taylor's first season directing the offense.