LARAMIE – Frank Crum left some enormous shoes to fill.
 
The legendary 6-foot-8, 313-pound left tackle from Laramie is expected to be selected in the NFL Draft later this month following a memorable six-year career at Wyoming.
 
The Cowboys return the four other starters – center Nofoafia Tulafono, guards Wes King and Jack Walsh and right tackle Caden Barnett – from last season. Barnett, who is not practicing this spring while recovering from offseason surgery, will likely slide over to the left tackle spot this fall.
 
In the meantime, 6-7, 286-pound redshirt freshman Jake Davies is trying to step into Crum's cleats.
 
It can be an uncomfortable fit trying to block seasoned defensive end counterparts like Sabastian Harsh, Braden Siders and DeVonne Harris.
 
"The best part about it is going against those guys that have played and have a lot of experience. That's definitely making me better, and I can tell," Davies said after the Pokes completed their 11th spring practice on Thursday. "Another big part of my development was being able to watch a guy (Crum) that's going to be drafted here soon. Looking at how he did stuff on the field, how he did in the film room and taking after him a little bit."
 
Harris, a sixth-year senior, said the defensive front isn't taking it easy on their young counterparts.
 
"We have a saying in the D-line room that it doesn't matter who we're going up against just compete," Harris said. "With Jake Davies, he gets beat but then he comes right back the next play. That's what I like about him."
 
Even though the defense is not allowed to tackle the quarterbacks in practices, Davies is putting pressure on himself to keep Evan Svoboda out of harm's way.
 
Almost every time the talented QB1 is given time to throw, Svoboda completes a strike.
 
"You've got to play every rep like he's live, like he's going to get hit," Davies said. "Obviously, it's the worst feeling in the world when you get beat and you know he's going to get hit, even though he's not really getting hit. Knowing I'm protecting a guy like that motivates me a lot."
 
Brian Hendricks' pupils are taking Davies and his classmates to school this spring, but UW's defensive ends coach is impressed with the way Davies keeps showing up to class ready to learn.
 
"That's what spring ball is all about for those young tackles and young offensive linemen. To grow and learn you've got to fail," Hendricks said. "At times it's not always going to be pretty, especially when you are going up against guys that have experience, that have had a lot of reps under their belt and have had a lot of days in the weight room.
 
"Jake Davies is a kid I see having a very bright future. That's why constantly after practice I'm patting him on the back and saying, 'Hey man, you're grinding and you're doing a great job.'"
 
When Hendricks was an at Illinois State before returning to UW he tried to recruit Davies, an all-state defensive end from Yorkville, Ill., to play for him.
 
Cowboy offensive line coach Joe Tripodi was able to land Davies as part of a talented group of offensive line prospects duirng the 2023 recruiting cycle. Nathan Geiger, a 6-5, 280-pound redshirt freshman has been taking the first-team reps at right tackle opposite his classmate.
 
The trial by fire for Davies and Geiger feels similar to what King and Luke Sandy went through before playing key roles last season.
 
"They were in an inside battle, but it was still a battle. Wes King took 900 reps last spring and Luke Sandy was close to that," Tripodi said. "So, through that trial you start earning your stripes, so to speak. I'd have to look at it but Davies and Geiger are probably pretty close to those reps, and we've still got a little bit of work to do this spring."
 
Head coach Jay Sawvel wants to see the duo finish the spring strong, add some more weight this summer and get ready to push to be a starter or a key rotational piece in fall camp.
 
"Those guys are both working, and I think they're both going to be really good players, hopefully by the end of August," Sawvel said. "But we've got to push."
 
Fans will be able to measure the progress of Davies and the offensive line during UW's spring game at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Cheyenne East High School.
 
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