LARAMIE – Jordan Bertagnole is still the anchor.
 
But the future of Wyoming's defensive tackle position has also arrived.
 
Bertagnole, the decorated sixth-year senior from Casper, was voted team captain by his teammates ahead of UW's opener at Arizona State on Saturday at Mountain America Stadium (8:30 p.m., FS1).
 
The preseason Outland Trophy candidate and all-Mountain West selection will lead the Pokes' defense along with senior middle linebacker Shae Suiaunoa.
 
Backing up Bertagnole on the depth chart is Jaden Williams, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound sophomore who is poised for a breakout season.
 
The nose tackle spot will feature the rotation of junior Ben Florentine and redshirt freshmen Dante Drake and Jayden Williams.
 
"They're the future of the program without a doubt," defensive tackles coach Jeff Phelps said of the young talent behind Bertagnole and Florentine. "They have to have a very good year this year. They have to be able to get out on the field and produce and gain some of that confidence and game experience to help them continue to develop."
 
Jaden Williams arrived in Laramie from Inglewood, Calif., in the summer of 2022 with big dreams and a broken heart. His mother, Cleo, died after suffering an aneurysm before his senior year at Campbell High School in North Hollywood.
 
"From that moment on, Jaden has kind of transformed himself into a new man almost. His maturity level has gone up exponentially," Dennis Keyes, Williams' high school coach, told the Star-Tribune after his prize pupil committed to the Pokes. "His drive and his commitment to be the best he can be, fulfilling the promises he made to his mom, has been impressive to watch and witness firsthand."
 
After appearing in three games in 2022 while preserving his redshirt, Jaden Williams played in five more games last season. He flashed his potential by recording his first sack in the 2023 opener against Texas Tech.
 
"I'm ready to go, honestly," Jaden Williams said of his expectations for this season. "I'm going to be fired up and excited for my first real game going out there and playing a lot. It's really going to be exciting to be out there with the guys and experience that. I can't wait. I'm going to do great."
 
Two defensive tackles, senior Caleb Robinson and redshirt freshman Lucas Samsula, have suffered season-ending injuries, which means Phelps and defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl will be relying even more on No. 93.
 
"We've been working with Jaden on his consistency," Phelps said. "He's a huge human being by stature and he's a really good football player. He's athletic and he's got strength and size. We're really looking for him to have a great year and we need him to have a great year."
 
Florentine's experience and improvement allowed him to win the starting spot on the interior of the defensive line opposite Bertagnole.
 
The 6-1, 281-pounder from Anaheim, Calif., has played in 14 games in a reserve role since joining the program as a 218-pound project in 2021.
 
"I think he realizes that he's got a great opportunity ahead of him," UW head coach Jay Sawvel said. "The fact that in his situation he has a chance to be an impactful player. He's very physical, very strong, he has a high motor. He has to realize, too, that he's going to get pushed. There's a really good group of athletes at that position. But Ben has more experience than these guys and that counts for something."
 
Drake and Jayden Williams are a pair of 6-3 wrecking balls from Texas who redshirted last season. Both are expected to play important roles after easing depth concerns at the position with strong fall camp performances.
 
"My effort is there, I've just got to stay consistent," Jayden Williams said. "That's what Coach Phelps is telling me. Once I get the small stuff down there will be no worries."
 
Jayden Williams quickly picked up the nickname "J.Y." from teammates to help differentiate him from Jaden Williams.
 
"At first it was kind of trippy, I was like, oh dang, we've got another one," Jaden Williams said of realizing UW had recruited his namesake at the same position. "J.Y. is my guy, my little brother and I'm always going to be looking out for him. He's going to be a good player for us, and we've got a great relationship."
 
The Cowboys are hoping that Bertagnole leading this budding crew will be the perfect blend in the heart of a defensive line that is deep on the edges with the return of Braden Siders, DeVonne Harris, Sabastian Harsh, Tyce Westland and Ethan Day.
 
"Bert has a lot of experience; he's a great player and we all know it," Jaden Williams said. "He's a real team guy, too. Bert is always having fun with us but when it's time to lock in he gives us encouragement before practice, during practice, always trying to get the guys going and keep us going. We all feed off Bert."
 
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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