LARAMIE – Jay Sawvel isn't going to mettle in Jay Johnson's business too much.
 
However, Wyoming's first-year head coach did make it clear before spring practice started that he would like the program's new offensive coordinator to make sure No. 84 is targeted early and often during the 2024 season.
 
John Michael Gyllenborg is a special tight end talent who is expected to be quarterback Evan Svoboda's go-to receiver this fall.
 
"Let's look at it this way, the offensive staff knows that if I pick up a stat sheet after a game, and targets next to him isn't a high number, that we're going to have a talk," Sawvel said. "You can do all the crap you want; you can draw it up however you want – explosive players make explosive plays and that guy is a really, really good player that needs the football. Pretty simple."
 
Gyllenborg, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior who only played three high school football games due to injury before coming to UW as a developmental prospect, had 23 receptions for 360 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and three touchdowns last season.
 
The Pokes' other two primary tight ends, Treyton Welch (Cleveland Browns) and Colin O'Brien (Indianapolis Colts), are currently pursing NFL opportunities after combining for 33 receptions, 328 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Gyllenborg should be able to replace that production in the passing game by himself.
 
"Last year was a lot of looking up to a guy like Treyton and there were a lot of veteran guys in the receiver group. So, I was looking after them and I had more of like a specified role," Gyllenborg said. "There were certain things I did, and I was good at them. This year it's more like you've got to block and do all these things that Treyton was able to do so well.
 
"I know that I'm ready. I take a lot of pride in working out and trying to get bigger, faster, stronger in the offseason. I think all that will apply and carry over to my skillset."
 
Nick Miles sat out of spring practice while recovering from an injury but the 6-5, 255-pound senior will help solidify UW's run blocking on the edge. Isaac Schoenfeld, a 6-5, 253-pound sophomore from Rock Springs, had five catches for 45 yards in the spring game and should carve out a role this fall.
 
Transfers Clay Nanke (Colorado State) and Justin Erb (Western Iowa) add some depth to the room.
 
Starting fullback Caleb Driskill, the bruising senior from Gillette, will also be lining up at tight end at times during his senior season. Running back Sam Scott can also lineup at fullback or tight end.
 
"I definitely think in this new offense I'm going to get to do a lot of different things that maybe I haven't done in the past," Driskill said. "I'm excited for the new opportunity."
 
Driskill is backed up at fullback by another in-state player, junior Kimball Madsen of Mountain View. Cooper Mailand, a freshman from Dallas, is listed as a fullback/tight end on the roster.
 
The Pokes are hoping No. 84 can be as dynamic in the uniform as Jay Novacek was 40 years ago when the College Football Hall of Fame inductee and future Dallas Cowboys star was at UW.
 
"He better grow a third lung," Sawvel said of Gyllenborg. "Because I don't know when he's ever going to come off the field."

(Editor's note: This is the third in a nine-part series reviewing UW's position groups. Monday's review: Wide receivers).
 
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