LARAMIE – During Wyoming's first open practice in over a decade, Tyrecus Davis made a pick-six and then leaped over the metal barrier separating the fans from the field in the West end zone of the Indoor Practice Facility.
 
The senior cornerback has made spectacular plays look routine throughout the Cowboys' first seven spring practices.
 
"I feel very confident in the defense I'm playing right now," Davis said. "I know the plays and I'm progressing every day and getting it down and I know everything like the back of my hand."
 
Davis has established himself as the clear-cut CB1 on a defense loaded with experience and play-making potential.
 
"The thing about Tyrecus is he has always had a chip on his shoulder," cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd said. "He has always felt like he was overlooked, which he was. He's short so he always feels like he has something to prove. He practices that way; he prepares that way. He's very coachable.
 
Davis is listed at 5-foot-10, 186 pounds. After spending three seasons at Navarro Community College in Texas, the Pokes beat out rival Colorado State for the junior college transfer.
 
"You would think he has been in this program, and with me specifically, for years based on the understanding of the expectations that he has," Boyd continued. "He approaches every single play like the season is on the line. I really appreciate that."
 
During his first season at the FBS level, Davis had 27 tackles, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception in nine games. He was on track to be the full-time starter opposite Jakorey Hawkins before an injury forced him to miss four games in the middle of the 9-4 campaign.
 
"I don't feel like it set me back," Davis said. "I'm way better coming off the injury. I feel like I've just grown and wanted it more after the injury."
 
Davis is a motivated father balancing academics and family life with football. He is raising his 3-year-old son, Damari, with his girlfriend in Laramie.
 
"Here's the thing I love about Tyrecus Davis: You're going to get the same Tyrecus Davis every day," head coach Jay Sawvel said. "He's going to be high energy, he's going to be uber competitive, he fights for his last piece of food, and that's what I love."
 
Sawvel said after Tuesday's practice that he would pencil Ian Bell in as the other starting cornerback right now, but the sophomore has some work to do before locking down the spot.
 
Davis is also trying to help the coaching staff get youngsters like Naz Hill and Keany Parks up to speed before the Aug. 31 opener at Arizona State.
 
"If I don't make it to the NFL, I want to be a personal trainer. So, I like to train them and get them better and make them fix their mistakes and just help them out," Davis said. "I will do it and it will happen quick. It is a process. They're young, so they're still learning.
 
"But I'm their mentor, so I'm going to get them right."
 
Wyoming had 11 interceptions as a team in 2023, which was tied for 55^th in the FBS. Davis is expected to be a key to the Pokes creating more turnovers this fall.
 
"Tyrecus works hard every single day like it's his last practice," Bell noted. "I just try to follow his lead because his energy reflects off of us and we just build and build."
 
Fans can watch Davis, whose pick-six highlighted last year's spring game, during the Cowboys' open scrimmage starting at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
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