LARAMIE – Jay Sawvel looked out from behind the podium in a packed room inside the Wildcatter Club & Suites and the moment hit him.
 
"It's here," Wyoming's first-year head coach said.
 
Technically, the Cowboys still have five important fall camp practices to grind through before shifting the focus to the Aug. 31 opener at Arizona State.
 
But the program's annual media event on Wednesday signaled that kickoff will be here in the blink of an eye for Sawvel, who was promoted in December to replace Craig Bohl.
 
The Pokes, who return 16 starters from last year's nine-win campaign, have lofty internal expectations despite being picked to finish sixth in the preseason Mountain West media poll.
 
"I know Coach Bohl had always talked about Wyoming as a developmental program and there's truth in that in the fact that we get really talented athletes that maybe some other places in the country had overlooked or didn't recruit and our job is to develop them into people that can perform and play at the next level beyond here," Sawvel said. "I had dinner with (Bohl) last night and we were talking and we both agreed in one sense is that, yeah, we may be a developmental program, but we have a developed football team right now.
 
"I'm very excited to see that play out."
 
Sawvel noted that success all starts at the line of scrimmage where UW returns four starters on the offensive line, including senior center Nofoafia Tulafono and preseason all-MW guard Jack Walsh.
 
"I think it can be as good of an offensive line as there is in the Mountain West Conference if not the best," Sawvel said. "We have a deep and very talented group of running backs that we're very excited about. We have a very good tight end and very good versatility within the tight end group that we can utilize. And we have a talented group of receivers that are unproven but particularly over this last week there's been a lot of growth, and we're excited about what they can become there."
 
The Cowboys also have an intriguing new starting quarterback in Evan Svoboda, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior who will be supported by the run game. No. 17 will also benefit from some dynamic playmakers, including tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and senior wide receivers Alex Brown and Will Pelissier.
 
Throughout spring practice and fall camp, new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has put potential breakout stars like running backs DJ Jones and Sam Scott and receivers Jaylen Sargent, Tyler King, Justin Stevenson and Chris Durr Jr. in position to make explosive plays in his scheme, which features more spread and tempo concepts.
 
"I think it's a talented offense that we have," Sawvel said. "We're still in a growing stage right now because some of the things we do differently and have implemented change wise. But the players have done great with it."
 
Sawvel was Bohl's defensive coordinator the previous four seasons. He promoted linebackers coach Aaron Bohl to maintain consistency at the position.
 
The unit returns all-MW defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole, defensive ends DeVonne Harris Sabastian Harsh and Braden Siders, middle linebacker Shae Suiaunoa, cornerback Tyrecus Davis, nickel back Wrook Brown and safeties Wyett Ekeler and Isaac White.
 
The Pokes also have a strong kicking game with the return of placekicker John Hoyland and the addition of FCS all-American punter Jack Culbreath.
 
"I'm really looking forward to this football team because in my time here this is the most consistent football team on a day-to-day basis with their habits and how they perform on the field each and every day," Sawvel said. "I think that we have a highly developed football team and a highly developed football program."
 
Bertagnole and Pelissier are among the 16 players from the state of Wyoming on the roster. Brown and Suiaunoa are among the seniors using their extra year of eligibility to ride for the brand one more time. Svoboda and Gyllenborg are among the prototypical developmental prospects that have the physical gifts and mental toughness to potentially play at the next level down the road.
 
Those in attendance for media day got chills on this August day watching the hype video that will be played before games at renovated War Memorial Stadium.
 
The 2024 season is (almost) here.
 
"We have a group of players here that will play for the University of Wyoming, and they don't play at the University of Wyoming," Sawvel said. "I think that's the thing I'm most proud of."
 
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.