LARAMIE – DJ Jones came to Wyoming for an opportunity to run the ball again.
 
Now the talented North Carolina transfer will be in the spotlight when the Cowboys open the season against Arizona State on Aug. 31 in Tempe.
 
Harrison Waylee suffered a knee injury during Saturday's scrimmage. UW's returning starter will have surgery on Wednesday but is expected to return to the lineup early in the season.
 
"He proved before he's genetically wired differently than what I am," head coach Jay Sawvel said Tuesday of Waylee, who missed the first two games of the 2023 season while recovering from a similar surgery on his other knee and then breaking off a 75-yard in his debut at Texas. "He's going to recover a lot quicker than I would. I think that still bodes well. We're still early enough in the process."
 
Jones was with the first team to start the scrimmage before Waylee went down on his first carry with the second team.
 
The 5-foot-11, 207-pound senior from Fayetteville, N.C., decided to enter the portal after being asked to make the switch from running back to defensive back with the Tar Heels.
 
Despite a chilly winter reception in Laramie, Jones was sold on an opportunity to finish his career with the Pokes.
 
"They said I came in the worst storm they'd had in a while," Jones said of his recruiting visit to UW. "I wasn't too worried about that because it had nothing to do with football. It was a little scary because I'm not used to the snow at all. I had probably seen it three or four times in my life. When I got here it was every other day."
 
Jones impressed the strength and conditioning staff during offseason workouts and surprised Sawvel with his skill set throughout spring practice.
 
In the Brown & Gold Game playing in front of UW fans for the first time at War Memorial Stadium, Jones had 12 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown.
 
"I love the personality; I love the person," Sawvel said of Jones last Friday. "I didn't know he was as good as he is. There's a battle there. He's doing great."
 
Jones has the inside track on starting against the Sun Devils with Waylee temporarily sidelined.
 
Sam Scott and Jamari Ferrell are both having strong fall camps and will play key roles for new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson.
 
Dawaiian McNeely, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during last year's fall camp, has been getting more reps as camp progresses and is expected to be available to return to the rotation this fall.
 
"You want everyone to be competing so there's no drop off whichever way we go," Jones said. "I love that part of the room."
 
Waylee averaged 5.8 yards per carry and 94.7 yards per game with five touchdowns last season.
 
"In Harrison's situation he got in a pile, and it was his first carry of the scrimmage, but we're very fortunate that it wasn't anything extensive," Sawvel said. "I think that's something we're all fortunate about and all kind of blessed with. He'll be healthy again in short order."
 
Scott had 246 yards, two touchdowns and the memorable game-winning 2-point conversion against Texas Tech. Ferrell added 205 yards and a touchdown after transferring to UW from Saddleback (Calif.) Community College.
 
Now Jones will have an opportunity to be a featured back for the Pokes after spending four seasons as a role player for North Carolina.
 
"I never thought I would leave North Carolina, but I'm here now and it's one of the best decisions I've made as a football player and as a man," Jones said. "I knew my abilities. I just never got to showcase it to everybody. I guess I surprised Coach Sawvel, but that's part of my journey."
 
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. 
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.