The hashtag for Wyoming Football for the last year has been #BuildingSomethingSpecial. That phrase still rings true as the vision fourth-year Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl has for his Wyoming Football program. But after listening to the head coach on the first day of 2017 Spring Football you can add the phrase “Taking Another Step Forward”, as that is what Bohl is emphasizing to his players and coaches as they come off a very successful season a year ago.
The Cowboys began taking another step forward on the field Tuesday with the first of 15 spring practices. The Pokes practiced for two and half hours on Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium and Bohl met with media at about 6:30 p.m. following completion of his team’s initial practice.
“It was a good first practice,” said Bohl. “First, I want to acknowledge our strength and conditioning staff. I think they did a great job as our players came back from spring break ready to go, and so did our coaches. A really good attitude out there (today). We’re installing some of our basic offense, defense and kicking game at this early stage of spring. I thought we had good energy today, and we have good experience coming back with several of those guys making good plays today.”
Among the areas that return a great deal of experience is the defensive secondary that returns every starter and back-up at the safety and cornerback positions. Juniors Andrew Wingard and Marcus Epps return to start at free safety and strong safety, respectively, for the third consecutive season. Senior Rico Gafford, junior Antonio Hull and senior Robert Priester all return after combining to start every game at cornerback for the Pokes in 2016.
For the first time in Bohl’s four years at Wyoming the Cowboys return their starting quarterback in junior Josh Allen and back-up QB -- junior Nick Smith. The offensive and defensive lines also return a great deal of experience.
One area of the Cowboy team that lost a lot of experience from a year ago was the receiving unit. Gone are 2016 senior wide receivers Tanner Gentry and Jake Maulhardt and senior tight end Jacob Hollister. But Bohl was quick to point out that a group of talented young receivers will now get their opportunity to shine.
“We’re really taking a hard look at this emerging receiving corps with C.J. Johnson, Austin Conway, John Okwoli and James Price” said Bohl. “Those guys made some nice plays today. There is still progress to be made there, but overall we’re pretty pleased with the progression of that group.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Bohl singled out 2016 Freshman All-American and Mountain West Freshman of the Year Logan Wilson, who is moving from the weak-side linebacker spot to the middle linebacker position this spring.
“I thought Logan Wilson really did a couple nice things today,” said Bohl. He picked off a pass and took it in for a touchdown, so I was really pleased with that.
“Overall, it was a really good start and it was fun for me as a coach to come into spring knowing we have a lot of good players returning.”
Bohl also commented to media on the continued growth he sees in his team as this year’s squad looks to build on the success that was begun in 2016.
“Mature football teams strive to get better everyday,” said Bohl. “I can tell you that there was an air of confidence and good intensity from the start today. Those things come about because of maturity and trusting in the system, which allows players to play faster and play at a higher level.
“Nothing builds success like success. We didn’t finish off last year like we wanted, but I think the hunger is there and also the resolve and the belief that we can be a good football team. Now we need to learn how to keep working hard, but I’ve seen a different demeanor in how our guys carry themselves and typically that transitions into playing with more confidence.”
Asked if he noticed any specific individual players who had made great strides during the winter conditioning program leading up to the start of spring football, Bohl responded, “Drew Harvey (redshirt freshman linebacker) has made some great strides. Now he is probably a ways away from playing, but we’re really pleased with him. I think Tyree Mayfield (junior tight end) has put on some good lean muscle mass, so has Austin Fort (junior tight end), along with Josh Harshman (junior tight end). We’re particularly pleased with some guys in the secondary like Marcus Epps and Andrew Wingard. Both really came back in good shape. Logan Wilson is up to 230 pounds right now and is running well.”
One of the important positions to fill during 2017 spring practice will be the center spot left vacant with the graduation of Second Team All-American Chase Roullier, who graduated last December with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. The leading candidate for that spot is sophomore Gavin Rush, who started all 14 games for the Cowboys at left guard last year as a true freshman. Asked about Rush’s first day at the center position, Bohl said, “It was a little bit of a mixed bag the first day. The ball was on the ground a little bit too much for my liking, but overall I think he has a pretty good understanding of what he is doing there and those other things will get cleaned up.”
While Bohl didn’t directly address the competition at the running back position after Tuesday’s practice, another note from the first day of spring ball was Brian Hill, the man who held that starting running back spot the past three years for the Cowboys, was seen on Tuesday watching his former teammates practice as he looks forward to the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys will return to the practice field on Thursday, March 23 for an afternoon practice. Bohl said there will be a few more team periods incorporated into Thursday’s practice before the Cowboys finish off their first week with a third practice on Saturday, March 25.
2017 University of Wyoming Football Spring Practice Schedule
Tuesday, March 21 4 p.m. (Practice #1)
Thursday, March 23 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #2)
Saturday, March 25 TBA (Practice #3)
Tuesday, March 28 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #4)
Thursday, March 30 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #5)
Saturday, April 1 TBA (Practice #6)
Tuesday, April 4 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #7)
Thursday, April 6 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #8)
Saturday, April 8 1 p.m. (Practice #9) To be held at Cheney Alumni Field at Natrona County High School
Tuesday, April 11 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #10)
Thursday, April 13 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #11)
Saturday, April 15 TBA (Practice #12)
Tuesday, April 18 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #13)
Thursday, April 20 4 or 4:30 p.m. (Practice #14)
Saturday, April 22 2 p.m. (Spring Game, Practice #15)
