LARAMIE – Caleb Driskill was the perfect representative of the Craig Bohl era.
 
For starters, he is a fullback. Wyoming continued to utilize and value the vanishing position in its physical, run-first offensive attack under Bohl.
 
Driskill, who is from Gillette, was also a coveted in-state recruit after leading Thunder Basin to its first appearance in the state title game. Bohl did an admirable job of making room for homegrown prospects who grew up dreaming of playing for the Cowboys in War Memorial Stadium.
 
Even a throwback player like Driskill was re-energized when Jay Sawvel was promoted to head coach to lead the program the retiring Bohl built across the finish line.
 
"First of all, I am very appreciative of Coach Bohl. He gave me an opportunity and he was good with Wyoming kids especially," Driskill said when asked about the vibe inside the locker room this spring with Sawvel bringing a fresh approach to the position. "But I think the team morale is the best it has been since I've been here."
 
Sawvel has seamlessly handed over a veteran defense to new coordinator Aaron Bohl. The unit, which has experience and depth at all three levels, figures to be one of the best in the Mountain West Conference.
 
The hiring of offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, coupled with the retention of longtime assistants like Gordie Haug (running backs) and Shannon Moore (fullbacks, tight ends), has led to a spirited competition on the offensive line and among all the skill players.
 
Driskill is being used as a hybrid player lining up in the backfield or at tight end. The Pokes plan to use the 6-foot-2, 241-pound fifth-year senior as a punishing blocker and pass catcher.
 
"I love the new offense and the new scheme," Driskill said. "My first couple years I was in I-formation (at fullback), and I appreciated getting to play. Last year it kind of evolved a little bit more. I'm definitely excited going into my last year to hopefully make it my best year, and hopefully we as a team make it our best year that we've had in a long time.
 
"I'm excited for that and to do different things, not just putting my hand in the dirt and trying to run through somebody's face every play."
 
After the Cowboys climbed into a 17-0 hole to Texas Tech in the 2023 opener, John Hoyland made a 56-yard field goal to give the crowd some hope.
 
Then Driskill scored his first career touchdown on a 4-yard pass from Andrew Peasley to get the comeback rolling as UW went on to pull off a wild 35-33 victory, which set the tone for a 7-0 record and a new single-season attendance record at the War.
 
"It was probably the coolest moment of my life," Driskill said. "I didn't know if I'd ever score. It's a goal everyone has but I haven't gotten the ball a ton. It's not a thing where I'm getting the ball 50 times a year and I'm probably going to score. For me it's like, I don't know. So, when it happened it was cool."
 
Driskill only had one other catch the rest of the season and didn't have any carries in 13 games. That's the life of a fullback.
 
But that could change with Johnson looking to take full advantage of versatile players like Driskill, running back Sam Scott and tight end John Michael Gyllenborg.
 
"Caleb Driskill can give us a lot of things even though he's more of a fullback than tight end," Sawvel said. "He's got really good hands, and he runs well, and he blocks really well, so you can get that production in a different way."
 
Fans can get a glimpse of Driskill's expanded role in the offense during UW's spring game at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Cheyenne East High School.
 
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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