The Wyoming Cowboy football team opened fall camp on Monday with the first of 24 practices prior to the 2025 season opener at Akron on Thursday, Aug. 28. Head coach Jay Sawvel enters his second season with 11 returning starters and numerous All-Mountain West performers back for the Brown and Gold.

Sawvel returns some key veterans on both sides of the ball with numerous All-Mountain West performers back. Sawvel also added 47 players during the signing period with 23 of those being transfers from all levels of college football.

The Cowboys return a solid foundation on offense, including quarterback Kaden Anderson, All-MW tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, with a mix of veteran and young running backs led by Sam Scott. Also back are wide receivers Jaylen Sargent, an Honorable Mention All-MW selection, and Chris Durr Jr., along nine offensive linemen from the 2024 two-deep that includes Al-MW selection Jack Walsh.

Defensive end Tyce Westland, nose tackle Ben Florentine, defensive tackle Jayden Williams will make a solid defensive core. Sawvel brought in well over 10 transfers on the defensive side of the football to compete with talented returners and redshirts that saw Wyoming lead the nation in third down defense last season.

The Cowboys have made six bowl appearances in the last nine seasons (2016, ‘17, ‘19, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24), which is also a school best. 

Sawvel announced the addition of three new coaches to the staff earlier this offseason. Former Cowboy wide receiver and UW Athletics Hall of Famer Jovon Bouknight takes over the wide receiver’s group after serving as an analyst last season. Deonte Gibson comes to UW from Air Force and will coach the defensive tackles. Gary Harrell comes to Wyoming to coach running backs after spending time at Colorado.